Jewel Box: A Quick, Cute, and Strategic Beetle Collector Game
🪲 1-4 players
⏳ 10 minutes per player
⚙️ Dice rolling, tile placement, set collection
If you ever played with beetles growing up, Jewel Box by Lovemore Games will transport you to the fascinating world of entomology. The game is beautifully illustrated by Megan Galura and designed by Zac Loveless.
This family-friendly game is all about collecting vibrant beetles from five unique families—Scarabs, Weevils, Ladybugs, Longhorns, and Jewels—and strategically arranging them to create a dazzling 4x4 grid. Compete to score the most points while showcasing your collection to your fellow scientists!
🪲 Components
Let's start with the box! It is very pretty and looks just like a leather collector's briefcase
Folding log board where you'll place the beetles
Tool tokens:
4 magnifying glass
4 forceps
4 combinations
75 beetle tiles from five different families
4 field notes cards
1 purple die
Detailed and easy to follow rulebook
🎮 How It Plays
Collect: Roll the die to take a beetle from the log. Roll a 6? Pick your favorite!
Place: Add the beetle to your Jewel Box, ensuring it touches another beetle (adjacent sides only).
Score: Each beetle family scores in its own way—plan wisely to maximize your points!
Tools: Use magnifying glasses and forceps to tweak your strategy, letting you pick different beetles or swap places in your tableau.
📊 Scoring Highlights
Scarabs: Score based on variety—surround them with beetles from different families.
Weevils: Love lines—stack them vertically or horizontally for big rewards.
Ladybugs: Need space—keep them apart to score more points.
Longhorns: Thrive in even numbers.
Jewels: Shine in pairs, but more than two will cause them to lose points!
💡 Tools help mitigate luck, letting you adjust strategy when necessary.
✔️ Pros
✅ Easy to learn
⏩ Fast to play
🌍 Language independent
👨👩👧👦 Great for all ages
👭🏻 Plays well with any player count
🌟 Cute beetle artwork and educational value
❌ Cons
🤔 Dice rolls can feel restrictive at times, especially if you're waiting for a specific color. Tools help mitigate this, but luck can still be a factor.
🧠 Bottom Line
Jewel Box is a quick, elegant, and visually striking game that’s perfect for families, casual players, and strategy lovers alike. It's an excellent choice for casual game nights or as a way to introduce younger players to strategy games. Can't wait to teach this one to my family over Christmas break!
Comments