Playing Fish Games on Friday
Each week at our local board game meet-up, we have the chance to browse through a lot of different games. The regulars that attend each bring a bag full of games for other attendees to play. It’s like a mobile board game library with a revolving door. Never the same games available each week.
That’s one of the ways members of the group are introduced to new games. It’s a try-it-before-you-buy-it system. If someone plays a new game that they enjoy, they sometimes go out and purchase it for their own collection. We’re the same way. Despite having a huge collection of games purchased at thrift stores and ones we have received for review, we also regularly purchase ones that we thoroughly enjoy. Yes, we have an addiction.
One thing we have learned is that you cannot judge a book by its cover nor a game by its title or box. As an example, Igor by R&R Games was a huge hit with the crowd despite the association to an animated movie. We recently added another sleeper to that list: Let Them Eat Shrimp.
Some of the regulars were more than anxious to try it out, but there were a few others who thought the age reference of 6+ meant it would be a bit juvenile for their taste. They joked during the start-up, but soon it was apparent that they were taking it quite seriously. Aside from the instructions being written in a way that a 6 year old can understand, the game offers both basic and advanced game play.
Let Them Eat Shrimp is a strategy game where victory points are earned by placing your available tiles on the board to capture the different fish displayed. The game consists of a two-sided board (for varying difficulty), four different sizes of fish pieces, shrimp, eggs, a die and a pawn (advanced level).
Players lay their existing fish pieces next to one already on the board which is where strategy comes into play. It is important to plan your placement in a way that doesn’t benefit your competitors. Very much like chess, you need to evaluate several scenarios before making your move. Regardless of the shape/color of the piece you choose to play, your next step is determined by what it covers. If it covers a blue diamond, you collect a blue diamond fish. If it covers a shark, you roll the die. If it covers both, you do both.
Game play ends in one of 3 ways. (1) Players are knocked out when they run out of pieces to play. The last player fishing wins. (2) If there is no legal way to play the largest tile type, a hexagon fish tile, the game ends immediately and victory points are tallied. (3) If no sea creatures (excluding sharks) are showing on the board, the game ends immediately and victory points are tallied. Scoring is determined by the number of fish tiles, shrimp and eggs the player has available to play.
The game seats 2-6 players and is recommended for ages 6+. Between the basic and advanced game options, it offers a fast play, great as a family game, a filler in between more serious gaming sessions or an advanced tile-placement strategy game that can hold its own while swimming with the sharks.
Let Them Eat Shrimp is available on Amazon for $35 or purchase direct from Doctor Finns and receive a free expansion pack. See what other medicine Doctor Finns has in the works by following them on Facebook or Twitter.
This game does seem fishy to me.. lol My kids would really dig this. You guys always have the most unique games to play.
I’ve never heard of this one! How do you find all of these great games?
Ha! I love that everyone started out not sold and ended up sold. It does sound fun!
Sounds like you guys/gals had a ton of fun! Is this a new game that just recently came out? Or has it been around for awhile?
This one was just released in 2014 and is up for a couple awards! It’s another one you won’t find at local retailers as it is from a smaller publisher.
You mentioned the most dreaded word in the world to me–Geometry. The nightmares I still get from having taken that course in high school!! This does sound like an interesting game as long as geometry has nothing to do with it except the shape of the game pieces!
This looks like a pretty good game. I like a game with a little challenge, although it’s really been years since I’ve played games much. Thanks for your reviews though. It’s interesting to learn that there is a weekly game meet. That’s so fun!
Looks very interesting!
Sounds like a fun game, my kids would probably really like it!
These are great for reinforcing match skills. I think my students would love these and not even know they were learning math at the same time.
Board Game Meet-Up Fridays sounds like great fun. Playing a different game, and just getting together. I have never heard of Let them eat Shrimp, but it sounds like a thinking game. That might need time limits with a group.
It sounds easy enough. I like games that have the fun graphics like this one does. We’d play this one, definitely.
This might be too complicated for my boy, but my daughter would like this most likely
This is such a cute game. I am always looking for games that I can use or buy for others, thanks for sharing this one.
This sounds like a fun way to experience new games that you might not otherwise have a chance to play. It has been a long time since I played board games like Monopoly, Clue and Scrabble (am I dating myself, or maybe these are still timeless), so its great to hear there are still people who love finding their next favourite game. Great way to try them before you buy them too. Personally I haven’t heard of the game you feature here and sounds like everyone had a good time checking it out!
“Let Them Eat Shrimp” is an awesome title for a game. It also seems to offer great opportunities for some good ol’ fashion family time. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for posting this article describing the mechanics on how to play the game. It sounds interesting and brings fun to the players.
You are speaking to a board game lover. Couldn’t wait til my kids and then grandkids were old enogh to learn and play. I think you have the best job out there, a game tester.
Looks very interesting and I sure do love the theme.