Bites

I recently got my hands on "Bites" and I'm excited to share my thoughts. It's a refresh of the Spiel des Jahres winning "Big Points," but with a new theme and some clever tweaks. The gameplay is deceptively simple: you move ants along a trail, collecting food tokens as you go. However, the value of those tokens changes based on the order in which the ants reach the anthill at the end of the trail. This shared incentive system keeps you constantly strategizing and trying to figure out what the other players are up to.

The components are fantastic - high-quality, colorful, and well-designed. The ants themselves are wooden and the food tokens are sturdy cardboard. I do have to say that a couple of reviewers mentioned broken ants, but thankfully mine arrived in perfect condition. The rulebook is clear and easy to follow, and the rule cards add a nice layer of variability to each game.

One of the things I really love about "Bites" is that it's a quick game. You can easily finish a round in 20 minutes, making it perfect for a casual game night or a filler game. It's also great for a wide range of ages. We play it with our kids, who love the ant theme and the simple mechanics.

If you're looking for a game that's easy to learn but offers surprising depth, "Bites" is definitely worth checking out. It's a fun, engaging game that's sure to be a hit with your family and friends.