Honey Buzz - Why Own It? Mechanics & Theme Board Game Review

Bees; making accounting fun since 2020. Evolve your group of worker bees quickly (aww, baby bees), to take those worker action spots to add puzzle pieces to your personal hive. Then get to work seeking out nectar to make different varieties of honey to sell on the honey stock exchange (thematic liberties taken) and fulfill contracts. Join us for our review of Honey Buzz… you better bee-lieve that this bee-autiful game will bee a brain burner.

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
00:41 Theme overview (Themer)
01:29 Mechanics overview (Thinker)
07:00 Themer thoughts (& component quality)
10:29 Thinker thoughts
13:35 Solo gameplay (Themer)
15:47 Why own it?

Designer: Paul Salomon
Players: 1-4
Play time: 45-90min
Publisher: Elf Creek Games

Thanks for stopping by for our mechanics & theme board game review of Honey Buzz. We're Amy & Maggie aka ThinkerThemer. We're an Australian couple with two very different perspectives of what makes a great board game - Amy (Thinker) is all about the mechanics and enjoys tight, competitive games, and Maggie (Themer) is all about the storytelling and the theme of the game, and the 'world' that the designer is trying to create. Subscribe to our channel to hear us talk about these two elements of a game, and how well integrated we feel these are in delivering a cohesive and wonderful game experience.
Are you #teamthinker or #teamthemer? ❤🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺

[paulsalomon]

Thank you for sharing this!

You described the nuance of the worker placement perfectly. It’s a tricky thing for players to understand because they expect to take actions immediately.

You two are wonderful and brilliant.

[enricozanin]

Oh no, another game for my wish list LOL. Eager to try this one.
Hello from Italy!
Found your channel a couple of weeks ago, and going to watch all videos now.
Thank you for bringing into the hobby a Oz point of view. It's nice, here and there to hear references from a land so far from here.
BTW yesterday I received your Monday t-shirt. So nice and so yellow!!
Keep up the good work!

[DooDooDaddyTV]

You two instantly sold me on this game

[dahakhamoontouched]

Honestly I was pretty skeptical about this game going in, but I think you did a great job of highlighting what makes it interesting and unique. That cell pattern mechanic is very creative! I will definitely be keeping Honey Buzz in mind for future purchases!

[macngames]

I think y’all convinced me to get Honey Buzz! Hopefully I can get my hands on the deluxe version - the components look top notch. I love Everdell, so this is right up my alley. Also want to say, love your content! Discovered your channel after Before You Play’s shoutout. Keep it up!

[monstermash]

Hi Amy and Maggie, I just found your channel and really enjoy your dynamic! I really want Honey Buzz now :) and love to hear about the solo game play as I usually play that way.

[annecooswiersema]

I’m so enjoying your videos - you really make the games come alive. Thank you. I got Honey Buzz for the family for Christmas - it’s waiting under the tree and I can’t wait to open it and start playing.

[ajsutty]

loved this review and while I watch mostly your new reviews the quality of the production of this video was amazing! thanks as always

[sigi]

It‘s so great to listen to you both talking about this great game. I just played my first game and I also was catched immediately about it. About the ‚furry‘ Beeple I think it‘s the one which does the forage (forage token), it slides better on the board with the fur.

[kritisharma]

Ohh I love it soo much! Like Maggie said she liked it’s Solo. I loved its solo too. I haven’t played in 4 players but will try . Just a very appropriate mid weight game! Loved it!! Theme is super adorable that honey pot, beautiful ❤️❤️🥰

[jesseferguson]

I really love your videos! They are so great! I just got my kickstarter last week, and I can not wait to finally get to play it!

[StephenGrubb]

Thanks for another wonderful review. This is a game I wouldn’t have considered from the cover artwork, as it strikes me as a family/kid game. With your review, I see that there’s a LOT more going on inside the hive than the cover would suggest. I’m also craving honey now. :)

[xandermichael]

Oh no!! You totally sold me on this! I was trying to convince myself that I wasn't that interested, but then when you added the "crunchy like Calico" comparison I buckled! Now I just have to find a place to get it

[arisultanik]

Great, fun review. I didn't back the game but I pre-ordered it later on their site. I saw Rahodos' and Zees' reviews and they got me thinking about it. it was your review that sealed it for me. I am always looking for games that my wife would like to play. Since discovering your site, I now have a unique source of information and opinions to assist me in that endeavor. Thanks.

[TheLobbyOfHobbies]

Yay for Worker Placement!!! This one is still waiting to hit the table but you will be happy to know that it has been unboxed and organized. I did get to play it in the preproduction phase at PAX Unplugged last year though.

[ITOmarHernandez]

Another excellent review and episode. You make it hard to say no to games you both agree on. Thanks! Lol

[shawnmincer]

Thanks for the great feedback on the game. I saw this game out there but did not give it a closer look. Now that I have watched the video I am going to take a much more serious look at it and probably get it in the collection.

[donaldkehler]

Thanks for the review! This game looks like a perfect combination of theme and mechanics. Also, that deluxe version looks amazing!

[jahniedez]

GREAT JOB!! Subbed and hit the bell instantly!

[kennyv.]

Wait a minute.. I like bees! I like honey! ...Buuuut sadly I feel this game is a bit light for my collection right now, as i already have enough games taking up the light/medium category. I definitely see the appeal however, especially with those amazing deluxe components - the game is gorgeous!

Random note; I just had a thought at the end of the video - Maggie was talking about the AI cards that simply take up tile selection spots on the board - Perhaps adding this to the 2 player mode would give a similar feel to more players? I wouldnt say the dummy bee would completely block the space, but just make it so the next person would need to pay 2 if they visited.. Just a thought. I personally dont mind the dummy mechanic in most games, like Teotihuacan or Glen More 2.

Anywho, great review for a game with a lot of buzz!.. sorry.. I'll go now..