Gloomhaven: Buttons and Bugs Review — Size Don't Matter?

We review the newest, tiniest Gloomhaven game! This Cephalofair release takes the popular BGG Euro dungeon crawler and condenses it into purely single player! Buttons and Bugs (BnB for short), literally fits in the palm of your hand, and has the same asymmetry in the campaign as before! However, it does streamline a lot of the combat, so is that a good or bad thing? We completed the game so we know about this hand management!

Buttons and bugs also wasn't made by Isaac Childres, rather from another design team, so how much does that change things? Are the smaller cardboard chits and cards an issue? Is the story in the campaign any good? Now with Frosthaven and Jaws of the Lion, which haven game is right for you?

Table of Contents:
Overview - (0:00)
What is BnB? - (1:16)
Pros - (2:28)
Cons - (7:30)
Recommender Score - (13:52)
Ashton's Personal Score - (17:23)

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[TheRoseCat_]

yes, i've been waiting for the review! im playing it myself, i think its super fun. im super suprised that they actually made it feel like tiny Gloomhaven

[Shelfside]

RULES CLARIFICATION: you reshuffle the monster deck whenever the reshuffle icon appears NOT when the deck runs out, meaning it is possible to see the same ability multiple times in a row. Though still not likely!

And when you lose a FH scenario, you don't get punished, you just can choose to redo the scenario or do a different one (which is more options than BnB forcing you to do the same scenario again).

Thanks for commenters for pointing this out, and written review is on its way -Ashton

[jaybear]

Nice review! I love how B&B strips out the fiddlyness which really put me off regular GH. I was also worried about the warping of the scenario cards, but I sleeved them and it made them totally fine.

[adamlong]

Just got it and played scenario 1! It's awesome! Great video!

[lndozois]

OMG!! I want an app version of this game soooo bad!!!
Would be a perfect game for the subway!

[somefishhere]

Great review! I didn’t finish bnb, glad you were able to finish the campaign. Love the flashbacks to the haven videos. A lot of good editing in those reviews!

[DragonXX]

I bought the game and I’m having a blast. But I’m a bit disappointed in the component quality... 2 boards already had damage and my cubes had already some broken edges ... nothing big but still a bit on the cheap feel! Gameplay makes up for it big time! Love the short streamlined mechanics ! Great review as always ! Keep it up

[boodesultan]

i hope they dont abandon button and bugs project and maybe make an expansion or new gloomhaven solo with map and stuff, there is alot of potential with it honestly

[johnbrown]

Thanks for a very thorough review and for taking the time to consider all the different aspects of it. I think the game is very good for what it is.

[clarkewithe]

Clarification at 10:33, you reshuffle the monster deck whenever the reshuffle icon appears NOT when the deck runs out, meaning it is possible to see the same ability multiple times in a row (although it is much less likely so your point still stands)

[revcr]

Im always impressed how you can review a game with two different views

[philipthonemann]

A very nice, lively, review - thanks!

[TheMexicanSuperman]

I really like how you still get the customization that you normally get with your abilities recreated with your item choices per scenario.

[TheMexicanSuperman]

I liked the video before I even started! Lets gooo!!

[nebs]

Awesome review Ashton... a lot of footage with Childres... wonder what you're cooking up.

[Mrappbrain]

Another video, another day of waiting for the John Company Review drop

[brianmattei]

Your complaints about co-op games mirror mine honestly BUT I still do enjoy them with friends from time-to-time, especially considering some of my friends like co-op games exclusively. But yeah, I get more enjoyment out of something like TI4 than I do Gloomhaven.

With all of that said, I know this sounds crazy, but have you tried Jaws/Frosthaven/Gloomhaven solo? The fiddliness doesn't change, but I feel like a lot of your gripes are alleviated with solo play. No more having to wait on other people, no more having to deal with "how fast/slow are you going, " less time per mission, etc.

Curious your thoughts!

[auburnt_amaranth]

neat, glad to hear you had at least more fun with this one. the crucial question: Daniel's rating? :P

[masterbuilder]

how did this slip past me?? just ordered this, looks really fun and cute as a big fan of gloomhaven already (I have the original and jaws)

[viktorkm]

Please Ashton, you really need to get your friends together and dive into the Vampire the Eternal Struggle 5th edition box. I think you really would like it! Would be great to hear your opinion om it!
Keep up the good work! ❤