@beth_sobel sorry about the wing sauce stains.
@bwwings sorry about bringing your restaurant so much joy…
Publisher: Button Shy Games
Designer: Elizabeth Hargrave
Artist: Beth Sobel
Game Type: Set Collection, Drafting, Psyche Out
Initial Year of Release: 2019
Age Range: 8+
Expected Playtime: 15 Mins
Number of Players: 2-4
Theme and What is it?
Definition of tussie-mussie in English:
tussie-mussie
NOUN
archaic
A small bunch of flowers or aromatic herbs.
Origin
Late Middle English: of unknown origin.
Gameplay Mechanics
I don’t normally plagiarize dictionaries for my reviews. However, in this instance, the dictionary can describe this game better than I.
For that reason, imagine the above referenced Tussie Mussie. It is a small bouquet. In this game, you will end with a small bouquet of cards (flowers). You are building that bouquet by your actual bouquet, as well as a separate face-down keepsake.
At the end of two turns, you will add up your points, based on the cards, and whomever has the most points, wins.
Two simple rounds, so many endings.
Initial Impressions
Button Shy Games has made it an art style to minimize games as much as possible. In all honesty, each game, from the packaging, does not seem like much. I know this is a cruel and mean thing to say.
Sorry @buttonshy but, they know it is true. Their games do not immediately illecit ooooooohs and ahhhhhhhs.
My reaction like many others, is ok… its a game.
Game Build Quality
Cards and a sleeve. Simple, built nicely, but simple.
Artistic Direction
Button Shy knows that they must get your attention once their cards are on the table, immediately.
They very much have the “Hey Goose you big stud, kiss me now, or lose me forever” feel to them.
The art of Tussie Mussie by Beth Sobel is on point, and just PERFECT for such a small game. The idea of the bouquet of flowers, and the feel of the minimization of a small set of cards, just feels 123% perfect.
Beth Sobel has hit her stride in Tussie Mussie.
Fun Factor
Dinner games, prior to eating some wings are hard to come by, and even more so, hard to find something that is fun. This game is going in my car, and will be introduced to wing lovers everywhere.
@beth_sobel sorry about the wing sauce stains.
@bwwings sorry about bringing your restaurant so much joy…
Age Range & Weight
The current age is pegged at about 8+.
I think this is a very good age to begin this sort of game. It is roughly the age I learned Euchre, which if you haven’t taught to your kids, you should.
Conclusions
Two ? for creativity.
That is a good thing. Because two ? means love, and I love this game.
This game will never make it to my shelf. It will 110% go to my car. It will follow me around like it was a sheep and I was little bo peep.
This is my favorite Button Shy Game at this point, and one of my very favorite short and sweet titles ever. Back it fives times, and send me one.
