Dinosaur Tea Party

RRP: £19.99
Now £16.45(SAVE 17%)
RRP £19.99
[yith_wcwl_add_to_wishlist]
Nexy Day Delivery

You could earn

1645 Victory Points

with this purchase

“You’re looking well, darling. One lump or two?” It’s the most sought-after invitation of the year: Dinoton Abbey for high tea. Now you’re all gussied up in your finery and ready for some tea and chit-chat. One problem: You can’t remember anyone’s name. Who’s that, sporting the fancy brooch with her pet chicken? Is that Jeannine? Beatr…
Read More
Category Tags , , , , SKU ZBG-REO9005 Availability 3+ in stock
Share
Share this

 

 

Awards

Rating

  • Artwork
  • Complexity
  • Replayability
  • Player Interaction
  • Component Quality

You Might Like

  • Charming visuals
  • Easy gameplay for all ages
  • A great game for conversation

Might Not Like

  • Another in the long list of ‘guessing’ games
Find out more about our blog & how to become a member of the blogging team by clicking here

Related Products

Description

"You're looking well, darling. One lump or two?"

It's the most sought-after invitation of the year: Dinoton Abbey for high tea. Now you're all gussied up in your finery and ready for some tea and chit-chat. One problem: You can't remember anyone's name. Who's that, sporting the fancy brooch with her pet chicken? Is that Jeannine? Beatriz? Oh, dear. If you're not careful, you'll commit a faux pas everyone will be gossiping about.

Dinosaur Tea Party is a game of pure deduction for 2-5 homo sapiens. Each player takes a card corresponding to one of the dino guests. Players take turns asking each other questions or guessing their dinosaur's name. If someone guesses your name, draw a new card. The first player to guess three names wins.

Civilized dinosaurs gathering for afternoon dinosaur tea party!? If you like off the wall concepts then stop right there and take a look at this social deduction romp from Restoration Games!

“Charmed, I’m Sure”

As with other offerings from Restoration Games, ‘Dinosaur Tea Party‘ is basically a reincarnation of an earlier game. In this case, 1976’s ‘Whosit?’ has been reborn as a prehistoric social gathering. Parker Brothers ‘Whosit?’ is definitely one of their lesser known titles, you won’t find it at the top of many lists that’s for sure. So while this game is said to be a ‘reimplementation’ it is very much it’s own thing.

So what is ‘Dinosaur Tea Party’ all about? Think ‘Guess Who’ but with fancy dinosaurs. Now immediately you might ask, “Do we really need another ‘Guess Who‘ game?”. After all, with the popularity of licensed products you can get all different manners of ‘Guess Who’ and pretty much every person who has ever played board games will be familiar with the concept.

However, what sets ‘Dinosaur Tea Party’ apart is the fact that it is quite simply… charming! Ever since the 90s, thanks mostly to Jurassic Park, my favourite dinosaur has always been the Dilophosaurus; mean, green and absolutely terrifying. Here though, the venom spitting reptile is presented as a glamorous, bespectacled socialite going by the name of Jeanine and it’s this level of absurdity mixed with the glorious artwork that really brings the game to life.

“One Lump Or Two?”

Gameplay is extremely simple and can be played in about 15 minutes… but boy is it fun! Players are dealt a random card showing one of the guests at the tea party and then each person takes a turn at asking the other guests questions to deduce their identity. With various identifying factors like glasses, pets, cups of tea and flowery adornments, there are plenty of questions to identify these reptilian partygoers.

To add an extra layer to the gameplay, 3 dinos will be randomly assigned a quirk; one will always lie, another always answers “no” whilst yet another will switch their answers (“yes, “no”, “yes”, “no”). As such, just because Winston is telling you that he’s enjoying a lovely cup of tea don’t believe him just yet… he may be a bold faced liar! As a hint, to really soak in the theme it’s best to make the questions as flamboyant and conversational as possible and it’s here where each player can put their personal touch on the gameplay.

“Are You Being Served?”

Let’s talk a moment about the game components. As mentioned already, the art is absolutely gorgeous; each character is unique and has their own look and feel. All of the little intricate details add to the overall look of dino refinery. As each player answers their opponents questions they will place a token in front of them indicating their answer. Due to this you will gradually build a picture that this particular dinosaur is in an orange room, eating cake and bearing their pearly whites.

The player tokens used for this purpose are made to resemble tea bags which is a lovely touch. To win the game you will need to correctly ascertain the identity of 3 dinosaurs, each time gaining a sugar cube as a reward. I love the idea of the sugar cubes, it keeps the game grounded in this world of a make believe tea party. All of the components feel to be of a very sturdy quality and will hold up to a lot of playtime. What’s more, this is the first time I’ve come across a rulebook that includes recipes for afternoon tea. The theme is definitely strong with this one!

Final Thoughts

Make no mistake, a deep game this is not. It is not unique nor ground-breaking in its execution and there is very little to no strategy involved. However, its sincere charm and ease of play make for a fantastic family game (our 4 year old daughter is a pro already) to add to your collection.

There are times when a good, simple game is needed; when playing with younger ones or with those who really aren’t in to more complex games. If that’s the case then ‘Dinosaur Tea Party’ definitely fits the bill. It gets the whole family talking and laughing, which will always be a great reason for any game to make its way to the table.

There’s something strangely satisfying about deducing that your significant other is a pancake eating velociraptor named Lloyd and it’s clear that Restoration Games really had fun with this title. Yes, it’s silly and quirky but when life gets a bit too serious this kind of game can bring some much needed levity.

So there we have it. Not a perfect game but a quirky experiment in dino fun. Dinosaur themed board games look to be here to stay and ‘Dinosaur Tea Party’ is a nice little addition to that category. Stick some tea bags in the pot, prepare the scones and lose yourself in glorious ridiculousness.

Step into a whimsical world where dinosaurs sip tea and devour cake. Dinosaur Tea Party, a board game by Restoration Games, invites players to an elegant affair filled with deduction and delightful characters. We’ll delve into the game’s setup, mechanics, artwork, and components. We’ll also explore its replayability, player interaction, and overall quality. So put on your fanciest hat and let’s embark on an adventure to uncover the who’s who of Dinoton Abbey!

Preparing For A Dino Extravaganza

Setting up Dinosaur Tea Party is a breeze, ensuring you’ll be immersed in the game in no time. Simply gather the character cards, question tokens, and reference cards included in the box. The character cards feature enchanting illustrations of dinosaurs, each with their own unique traits and quirks. The high-quality artwork immediately sets the stage for a charming tea party. Simply set out the dinosaur tiles in a 5 by 4 square, give each player a set of coloured tea bags, and shuffle the dinosaur character cards and your ready to get started.

To begin, each player is assigned a character card secretly, representing their dinosaur persona for the tea party. These cards serve as the foundation for deduction and intrigue throughout the game. The reference cards provide a handy reminder of the various traits and characteristics, making it easy to navigate the world of dinosaurs and their tea preferences.

Unveiling Secrets In A Tea Party

Dinosaur Tea Party’s gameplay revolves around deduction and clever questioning. Players take turns asking yes-or-no questions to deduce the identities of other dinosaurs. The key lies in crafting strategic questions that reveal information while keeping one’s own identity concealed. This delicate balance of deduction and deception adds depth and excitement to each turn.

The gameplay mechanics are easy to grasp, making Dinosaur Tea Party accessible to both casual and seasoned gamers. The limited information available and the need to carefully choose questions keep players engaged and thinking. As the tea party progresses, the mystery unfolds, and players must use their deduction skills to unravel the secrets hidden amidst the tea and scones.

Once a player guesses another players dinosaur correctly, they get a sugar cube! The player then draws a new card and play continues, first to three sugar cubes win (my house rule is we keep going until all dinosaurs have been found).

Dinosaur Tea Party strikes a balance between simplicity and strategy. While the mechanics are straightforward, the game requires thoughtful decision-making and observation. Crafting the right questions and interpreting the responses is crucial to deducing the identities of the other players. This level of complexity ensures an enjoyable experience for a wide range of players.

One of the strengths of Dinosaur Tea Party is its replayability. Each game unfolds differently as players employ different strategies and face new combinations of dinosaurs. The element of surprise and unpredictability keeps the game fresh and engaging, ensuring that no two tea parties are ever the same. The desire to uncover all the hidden identities and improve deduction skills makes Dinosaur Tea Party a game you’ll want to revisit time and time again. You can also spice it up a bit by using the quirks to add a little complexity, I only wish there were more of them.

Dinosaur Tea Party excels in fostering lively player interaction. The game thrives on social deduction and conversation as players try to outwit each other and deduce identities while keeping their own hidden. Engaging in witty banter, bluffing, and clever questioning adds to the overall enjoyment and creates memorable moments. The interactive nature of Dinosaur Tea Party guarantees a fun-filled experience for all players. I highly recommend impersonating Maggie Smiths character Violet from Downton Abbey, if you do the rest of the players follow suit taking the enjoyment from a 7/10 to a solid 9.5/10.

The components of Dinosaur Tea Party are of excellent quality, ensuring a satisfying tactile experience. The character cards are sturdy and feature eye-catching artwork. The question tokens are easy to handle and add to the immersion of the game in the form of tiny tea bags. The reference cards provide a helpful resource for players, ensuring quick access to the necessary information. The only minor drawback is the absence of additional components, like more dinosaurs or more quirks, which could have added more variety to the gameplay.

Dinosaur Tea Party showcases captivating artwork that brings the prehistoric creatures to life. The illustrations are vibrant, whimsical, and full of personality. Each dinosaur has its own distinct style and charm, making them endearing and memorable. The attention to detail in the artwork adds to the immersion, enhancing the overall experience of the game.

A Delightful Tea Party Adventure

Dinosaur Tea Party is a charming and engaging board game that combines deduction, social interaction, and captivating artwork. Its immersive gameplay, high replayability, and quality components make it a delightful addition to any game collection. While it may lack some of the additional components found in other deduction games, Dinosaur Tea Party excels in its simplicity, accessibility, and the joy it brings to the table. So gather your friends, steep some tea, and embark on a delightful dino adventure that will leave you with fond memories and a longing for future tea parties.

Zatu Score

Rating

  • Artwork
  • Complexity
  • Replayability
  • Player Interaction
  • Component Quality

You might like

  • Charming visuals
  • Easy gameplay for all ages
  • A great game for conversation

Might not like

  • Another in the long list of guessing games