Honey Buzz: Fall Flavors

While the terrific Barracks Emperors was waiting in the corner, ready to send us home arguing, the event ultimately closed with upgraded little bees. Honey Buzz has that cuteness factor which, at a glance, makes you think it is aimed at six-year-olds. On the table, though, it is far more satisfying than its sugary appearance promises, and its production is genuinely very lovely.

At its core, the game revolves around the hives and how you build and make use of them. That is where the honest brain-burn lies: you are trying to grasp its systems well enough to make your choices work, without the game becoming punishing for anyone who cannot fully understand them one hundred percent.

Fall Flavors adds five modules, and you can include as many as you like. If you have already played the base game two or three times, I would recommend using all of them: the game becomes noticeably more abundant, while retaining the same pleasant gameplay and offering even more room for replayability.

For me, this is an unreserved recommendation. It looks great on the table, has plenty of substance beneath the bees, and the expansion enriches it without weighing it down. Just do not ask me what it costs at retail, because I honestly have no idea. Then there was a small post-trip lull—mostly because I was playing Star Wars Unlimited like a maniac—but since September does not leave many free Fridays, we thankfully still managed a few more get-togethers.