A Fistful of Penguins: A Review

I can't tell you where it started or why it started, but recently there has been this strange influx of penguins around my home.  A gum-ball machine figurine here, that Christmas decoration that hasn't been put away yet there, and the penguin background on my computer are just a few examples.  It isn't quite an obsession, but it getting there. 

So when I heard about a "A Fistful of Penguins" I knew I had to have it.  Thanks go to my wonderful husband who hunted it down for me.

Object of the Game:

The player who is able, over three rounds, to gain the most money from their zoo wins!

Components / Set-up

Before you play your first game, you will need to sticker the 24 black and brown chips with the penguin and kangaroo stickers. Truthfully, I hate putting sticker on, so luckily I have an experienced husband (thank you Commands & Colors) who did an expert job.

There are also more small plastic poker chips that come with the game.  These are used for money; 30 yellow ($1), 24 red ($5), and 24 clue ($20).  Each player receives one red and five yellow chips at the start of the game. 

The game comes with 9 animal dice.  Each side has either a squirrel, kangaroo, penguin, moose, lion or camel.  During the first round the players roll four dice.  In the second round they roll five, and six in the third round.  The dice are very well made and the animal graphics are very cute.


The most wonderful component of the game are the 30 purple and 6 yellow clear acrylic penguin meeples.  Yes, I know I'm a sucker for penguins, and clear acrylic meeples, but they are awesome!

Each player starts the game out with six penguins.  So I get my penguin fix from the start.


Game Play

I first expected another version of Yhatzee.  It is another dice rolling game, set collection game, after all.  Luckily, while there is some resemblance, this game offers a lot more strategy.

During the first round the player rolls four dice.  They now have three options as to what they want to do with the dice.

Option 1: Stop rolling, and take the value of the roll in money and tokens, pass the dice to the next player.

Option 2:  Spend one penguin.  This allows the player to either roll a spare die from the bank and add it to their dice or re-roll as many dice as they wish.

Option 3:  Cash in the dice that show penguins and take more of the penguin meeples.  One yellow penguins equals five purple penguins.  Used penguin dice must be set aside and are out of play for the rest of the turn.  A player can not spend penguins to get these back.

Players may keep doing options two and three as many times as they wish.  Once they are out of dice and penguins they must choose option 1. 

When a players turn is over they pass the dice to the player on the left.   After everyone has finished their turn the second rounds begins.  Each player now rolls five dice.  During the third round they roll six dice.


Scoring

The game comes with three scoring cards.  I was constantly using these player aides and am grateful they were included.  I don't think I would be able to remember the values without them.

Penguins: When a player rolls a penguin they get a penguin meeple, not money.  These can be used to get more dice and used for re-rolls.  The more penguins you roll them more penguins you get.  A player receives one penguin for 1 dice showing a penguin, 3 when 2 dice show penguins, and six when 3 dice show penguins.

Squirrel:  These sneaky guys give you money from other players.  When you roll one squirrel you get $1 dollar from the player on your left.  Two gives you $1 from the player on your left, and $2 from the next player.  Each additional squirrel adds one dollar to the total from the next player around the table.  If you roll more squirrels then opponents, it continues around the table, skipping over you.  For example if you roll four squirrels and there are four player you take $1 from the player to your left, $2 from the next player, $3 from the third player, skip you, and then take $4 more dollars from the player to your left.

Moose: Each moose is worth $9 if paired with a squirrel.  If you don't have a squirrel they are worth nothing.  So if you have two moose and one squirrel you get nine dollars from the bank and one dollar from the player to your left.

Kangaroo:  Each kangaroo are worth as many dollars as there are kangaroos.  So one kangaroo is worth $1 and four kangaroos would be worth $16.  If during the first round a player has at least one kangaroo showing and they score it, they also receive a kangaroo token on the side showing one kangaroo.  This may be spent later on during the game to change one die to the kangaroo side.  If kangaroos are scored during the second round the player takes a chip turned to the side showing two kangaroos. 

If players still have one from the first round that one is turned.  During the third round two dice may be turned.

Lions:  Lions are worth $7 dollars each.  If lions are scored, only lions and penguins score.  So chose either to score your lions or score your moose, squirrels, and kangaroos.

Camels: Camels are worth $5 each if there are no lions showing.  They are worth nothing with lions showing.

Game End:

At the end of three rounds the player with the most money wins.  Penguins are worth $1 during the final scoring.  A tie results in a showdown.  Each player starts with two penguins.  The same rules apply and whomever has the most money after the showdown round wins.

My Thoughts:

When I first head of this game it was about how much of a blast it was; that everyone wanted to keep playing it and playing it; and that its sold out at Essen very fast.

I will agree that it is a fun, light-hearted game.  There is luck involved, but being able to add dice with the penguins and re-roll dice adds strategy not found in other games like it.   I hate giving up my penguins, but I like being able to re-roll or get an extra die.

Since you have three rounds to build your zoo, you don't feel rushed.  There is time to reach your goal.  Being short, the game also doesn't overstay its welcome.


I'm not sure I would agree with it being a family game.  The theme and the components certainly scream family game. I'm not convinced.  To be honest I haven't played it with younger children or my non-gaming friends and family.

The reason I'm hesitant, is the scoring.  It isn't the easiest to wrap your mind around and pretty abstract in this regard.  I think younger children may have trouble understanding why you need a squirrel to score your moose. The lion may be easier for them to understand.  Some advanced children may get it, but I'm not sure an eight year old, as suggested, would. 

The player aide is very helpful.  And, after reading the scoring rules easy for gamers to understand.  Non-gamers, I know, might confused with it.  When I first got into gaming I didn't understand icons and stayed clear of any game that used them.  So I don't know if I would pull this aide out for new gamers.  Gamers will love it and I wish more companies put aides like this in with the game.  A simple addition can add a lot and make a game so much more enjoyable.  

Overall I enjoyed the game, but was left wanting.  Maybe I had set my hopes to high?  I'm not sure.  It just feel a little flat.  The game would definitely shine with more players and would make an awesome light strategic filler.  The dice and components are wonderful and the artwork is great.  Unfortunately, I don't think this will see a lot of game play.  I promise to try it with more players and I wish I could praise it more.   I just liked it, I didn't love it.



Quick Stats:

Designer:  Jonathan Frankling
Artists: Mike Raabe
Publishers:  Wattsalpoag Games
Number of Players:  1-6
Playing Time: 15 minutes