Moonshine
Moonshine at your next game night?
Add Moonshine to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
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- Designer Thomas Dupont
- Publisher BLAM ! , 25th Century Games , Hachette Boardgames UK
- Illustration Maxime Morin
The description, FAQ and assessments for this game were generated with the help of artificial intelligence from the game data and reviewed editorially. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
What to Expect
Players act at the same time and build an engine by using die icons to attract customers to their speakeasy. The active player rolls (and can re-roll) a pool of dice; every player then resolves the resulting icons for their own benefit. Customers grant permanent bonuses like prestige, resources or access to extra dice. When a player reaches 12 prestige points, the game ends and the highest score wins.
Who Is This Game For?
Moonshine suits experienced families and hobby gamers who enjoy simultaneous play and engine-building. With a 30-minute runtime it is compact but requires familiarity with dice resolution and multi-use cards. Prior exposure to Dice Rolling and Hand Management mechanics is helpful.
How It Works
Core mechanics are Dice Rolling and Die Icon Resolution combined with Simultaneous Action Selection: the active player generates icons that all players may use. Hand Management and Set Collection determine which customers you satisfy to gain permanent bonuses. Contracts, Melding and Splaying and Multi-Use Cards add depth, while Moon tokens offer temporary benefits or customer swaps.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Thomas Dupont, Moonshine features asymmetric starting setups: each speakeasy has different abilities and temporary bonuses. The game links Dice Rolling and Engine-Building with a Prohibition-era, anthropomorphic-animal theme and jazz atmosphere.
Pro
- Quick 30-minute plays despite engine-building focus
- Strong player interaction through shared die icons
- Asymmetric starting abilities increase variety
- Blends Dice Rolling with Hand Management and Set Collection
Contra
- Simultaneous play may be unfamiliar for newcomers
- Short duration can limit deep engine development in a single game
Setting & atmosphere
Set during Prohibition in the USA, the game places anthropomorphic animals in jazz-era speakeasies. Customers represent contraband resources you fulfill to gain prestige.
Tips for beginners
Focus first on permanent bonuses and learn how die icons match customer needs; use Moon tokens to avoid being stuck when results are unfavorable.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play this solo?
No. The game supports 2–5 players and does not include a solo mode.
How long does a game really take?
Duration is about 30 minutes; simultaneous resolution tends to keep rounds brisk.
What prior experience do I need?
Some familiarity with Dice Rolling and Hand Management helps due to simultaneous decisions.
How does this compare to similar games?
Moonshine stands out by combining simultaneous die resolution with engine-building and asymmetric starts, unlike pure deckbuilders or worker-placement titles.
Is this suitable for families?
Suitable for families with older children (10+) who can handle simultaneous decision-making.
What mechanic makes it special?
The interplay of Dice Rolling, Die Icon Resolution and Simultaneous Action Selection is central.
Fazit
A tight, interactive engine-builder for groups who like simultaneous dice interaction. Recommended if you want short tactical games with player-to-player interaction.
Moonshine at your next game night?
Add Moonshine to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
Add Moonshine to my collectionAlready have an account? Log in
