Skip to main content

Pen Pals

Game ID: GID0453286
Game Info
Year
2025
Players
1
Complexity
0/5
Collection
Your Tier
Loading…
Mechanic profile
Not enough video data yet
Vibe profile
Not enough video data yet
Description

A roll-and-write where you enclose animals while giving them water published inside Dr Finns Book of Solo Strategy and Word Games

Description

A roll-and-write where you enclose animals while giving them water published inside Dr Finns Book of Solo Strategy and Word Games

Ask a Rules Question
All mentions
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 4
This page: 4
Sentiment: pos 3 · mix 0 · neu 1 · neg 0
Mentions per page
Showing 1–4 of 4
Video _UKd776nxoY Tabletop Tolson Analysis at 3:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 85220 · mention_pk 218015
Tabletop Tolson - Pen Pals video thumbnail
Click to watch at 3:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
  • Grouping animals using fences
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • area enclosure
  • Set Collection
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • I've got a real treat for you today.
  • They are delightful.
  • This is a nice slim book with eight different games that I will play that I can probably play with my husband side by side or I can just pass him the book and then he can play after me.
  • This is just like playing um a print and play, but you get the book version or you can get those PDFs and then print them out yourself.
  • This is delightful. This is fun.
  • Dynamite shift from Dr. C. Finn as opposed to printing games that require boxes and components and pieces, he has moved to essentially just these print and plays, these online platforms to essentially get you those fantastic games and the designs that he's made in an accessible, affordable fashion.
  • I think it's a really really great shift, a really great move. Um and I couldn't be happier with this book.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video La18N4MpVDs DaniCha Preview at 3:28 sentiment: neutral
video_pk 85180 · mention_pk 217771
DaniCha - Pen Pals video thumbnail
Click to watch at 3:28 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
none
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • So, um, and a special thank you to the creator of this, Dr. Finn, for sending me a copy of this to cover on my channel.
  • So, um, this is uh solo, but it could work multiplayer if you wanted to. You just have to, you know, compare the scores and then if you want more, they do encourage you to sign up for the newsletter and then you can get PDFs from the site.
  • So, um, I did end up playing one page so far of the first game.
  • So, um, and I did it lightly in pencil.
  • So, um, as I'm flipping through here, you'll notice there's a lot of pages that are blank on the left side, right? It's only one-sided print um for the game sheets, and I feel like it was a missed opportunity.
  • So, um, I feel like this this book could either happen a lot shorter, you know, less pages printed if they used thicker paper and double-sided printed it, but I'm sure there was a business reason or manufacturing printing reason that I'm not thinking of why they did it this way.
  • Um, again, I do think this is kind of like the perfect gift for like a solo board gamer or even just anybody who enjoys playing, you know, things like crossword puzzles or word searches.
  • This is kind of that level up in terms of something they can do themselves out of a workbook.
  • Um, and thank you again to Dr. Finn for sending me a copy of this.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 0wb80sFaqxE One Stop Co-op Shop Review at 12:42 sentiment: positive
video_pk 80535 · mention_pk 196256
One Stop Co-op Shop - Pen Pals video thumbnail
Click to watch at 12:42 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Satisfying when shapes fit well
  • Scoring for same vs. different animals offers strategic choice
  • Better score than previous playthrough
Cons
  • Can feel suboptimal due to dice rolls
  • Potential for 'cheating' or making mistakes
  • Host suspects they cheated on a previous playthrough
Thematic elements
  • Fencing in animals
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • area enclosure — Fencing off areas to contain animals.
  • Pattern Building — Drawing specific fence shapes on the grid to create enclosed areas.
  • Roll and Write — Players roll dice and use the results to draw on their personal sheet.
  • Set Collection — Scoring based on the types and number of animals within enclosed pens.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • This one's a book of solo games, eight different solo games in all.
  • If you don't reach the base planet you get not only zero points, but you get negative points equal to the difference.
  • I only got a 30 last time. Did I cheat again? I probably cheated again.
  • The only thing I wish they had given is an indication of what scores are better cuz really this is just beat your own score and compare it to how you did last time.
  • If you're looking for a ton of solo variety in a very small package, I think this is a good time.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video XNZnleyVSRo Tabletop Tokki Unboxing at 3:08 sentiment: positive
video_pk 32226 · mention_pk 95183
Tabletop Tokki - Pen Pals video thumbnail
Click to watch at 3:08 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • charming animal theme
  • accessible for families and casual players
Cons
  • rule depth may be light
  • publisher/designer unknown
Thematic elements
  • cute animals and enclosure management
  • animal enclosures and fence-building
  • light, childlike whimsy
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Tile Placement — placing fence segments and animals onto a grid to maximize scores
  • tile/area placement — placing fence segments and animals onto a grid to maximize scores
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • I love solo, love puzzling natured stuff, love solo games.
  • This box could be yours. I'm trying to call again and get rid of some more games.
  • I love word games. If y'all have any recommendations for cool word games, let me know.
  • Wizards Cup I already have technically on there. Horos—two-player game from Buttonshy.
  • The English version with English cards—it's going to be better than my mouth.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
Top
Showing 1–4 of 4
View on BoardGameGeek