Kaiser’s Eleven
We are heading back to world of McChanicle Corners in this new game from Fight in a Box, but have no fear, you’ll see lots of familiar faces there.
Kaiser Cucumber and the Gangs of McChanicle Corners is a small-box tile-stacking game where players take on the role of masterminds working to outsmart and out maneuver each other while trying to steal the most art from the Royal Museum.
The Bunny Bobbies are on high alert, with Sergeant Bonnie leading the charge to capture as many thieves as possible. Players take turns placing their agents into the field either face-up or face-down with each agent type having its own unique action. Will they get away clean or will another agent rat them out and get them caught? The board is constantly changing as more agents and Bunny Bobbies join the heist. Each mastermind has their own set collection goals they’re trying to meet to score the most points over three rounds and become recognized as the cleverest of masterminds.
5 Reasons You Want This Game
We’re here today to give you 5 Reasons Why Kaiser Cucumber and the Gangs of McChanicle Corners may be for you. Huge thanks to our friends at Fight in a Box for providing us with a review copy to share! This copy is using their deluxe tiles; there will also be a card version of this game that is super small and portable. Keep in mind, this is a prototype, so some elements to the components, rules, and gameplay are subject to change. You can find this game on Kickstarter and you can find that link below as well as ways to follow Fight in a Box to learn more about this really cool indie game publisher.
Reason 1 – Tile Placement
Let’s jump right in! Reason number one this game may be for you is if you like tile placement! Personally, I’m a big fan of tile placement and have a lot of these types of games on my shelf. So before I buy another tile game, I have to ask, does it do something different with tile placement that I may not already have? I think Kaiser Cucumber and the Gangs of McChanicle Corners does! When you send your agents into the field, you’re actually putting tiles out to create the board. Each of these agents can trigger the board state to change.
Let me explain. Playing a Squirrel will allow you to switch the location of two tiles. But if you play a Minion instead, then you can rotate tiles. Other agents allow you to flip tiles or stack them. Now, you’ll notice the rat agent has arrows on its tile. At the end of each round, any agents who have an arrow pointing at them will get ratted out to the Bunny Bobbies and they’ll be captured. This is similar to the Bunny Bobby tiles but the Bunny Bobbies will scare any agent with an arrow pointing at them back into the deck.
Reason 2 – Ever-Changing Board State
This keeps the board game frequently changing, which leads me right into reason number two! If you like games that can keep you on your toes and have a frequently changing board state, then Kaiser Cucumber and the Gangs of McChanicle Corners may be for you. This is not a game where you can make one plan and carry it out from start to finish. You have to be willing to change direction and strategy the moment another Mastermind gets in your way. And I promise you, they’ll get in your way. You just need to keep to the shadows, maintain your composure, and flex your strategy.
Reason 3 – Deduction & Hidden Role
Speaking of flexing your strategy, trying to figure out who is playing as each Mastermind will help in determining how you play the agents out of your hand. Do you play your Squirrel face-down and hope she makes a clean escape, or play her face-up to activate her ability to switch two other agents? What about the Hedgehog, do you bluff by playing him face-down, or face-up, where an opponent can manipulate his location to get themselves more points? Or do you reveal yourself and use your Mastermind’s once-per-game power, which can turn the tide of the entire heist?
Reason 4 – Small-Box Game
If you know us at all, you know that we love a good small-box game, and this one definitely fits the bill! The whole game is just 36 cards, so it can easily fit in a pocket and go anywhere. (The deluxe acrylic tiles take up a little more room, but are definitely more durable for a game session at the local bar.) And, as usual, Fight in a Box has found some way to cram a whole lotta game into those 36 cards!
Reason 5 – Support An Indie Publisher/Designer
And finally, if you would rather give your money to a small, indie designer and publisher, then you can’t go wrong with our friends over at Fight in a Box! They always deliver unique, whimsical, and easy to play games that are more strategic then most people expect. They’ve created a whole McChanicle Corners universe you can dive into too! Once you play Kaiser Cucumber and the Gangs of McChanicle Corners you’ll want to check out Mouse Cheese Cat Cucumber. You can immerse yourself even more with the McChanicle Corners RPG (also available as part of this Kickstarter) and create your own animals, foodstuff, and minions!
To learn more about Fight in a Box and their awesome catalog of games head over www.fightinabox.com. You can also follow Seppy (Chief Game Designer) on YouTube for his Design Tip of the Day or every Wednesday on TikTok for his Board Game Live.
You can support this campaign by visiting their Kickstarter – Kaiser Cucumber’s 3-Night Heist, but hurry this heist has almost come to an end!