Player objectives, game mechanics and lore
Bonbon immerses players in the world of master chocolatiers competing to craft the most exquisite box of pralines. Each player must place chocolate pieces (dark or white, with 8 different topping types) into a central box, aiming to create winning combinations and harmonious patterns.
The game revolves around secret betting: before the box is filled, players secretly wager on objective cards that reward specific arrangements (majorities of colors, symmetrical patterns, or flavor groupings). The uniqueness of Bonbon lies in its balance between strategy and interaction. Players must not only optimize their own box but also anticipate opponents’ placements to sabotage their plans.
A "bug" token allows falsifying a bet, adding a psychological layer to the game. The refined aesthetics, with colorful pralines and an elegant display, enhance the immersion in this gourmet and competitive universe.
Setting up and playing the game
The game begins by setting up the praline display in the center of the table, which serves as the shared box. Each player receives a set of objective tokens in their color and secretly draws 2 objective cards from the 16 available. These cards define the conditions for scoring points at the end of the game (e.g., "have the majority of white chocolates in the top-left corner").
Each turn, players draw two chocolate pieces randomly from a bag and place them in the box according to placement rules (pralines can be stacked or arranged side by side). Once the box is full, secret bets are revealed: players score points based on the success of their objectives. "Bug" tokens can be used to influence opponents’ bets.
Victory conditions and end of the game
The game ends as soon as the box is filled with 40 chocolate pieces. Players then reveal their objective cards and compare their arrangements with the wagered conditions. Points are awarded based on the number of fulfilled objectives, with bonuses for the most harmonious combinations.
The player with the highest total score wins. An average game lasts about 20 minutes, making it a quick yet tactically rich experience. The secret betting and sabotage mechanics add a layer of strategic depth, while the gourmet and refined aesthetics enhance immersion in the praline theme.
