Few things are cuter than kittens pouncing on a bed. When you introduce pumpkins and floppy witch hats, it’s cuteness overload! Don’t let the looks of this game deceive you. BOOoop is a strategic 2-player game that has a simple rule set and a depth to the gameplay.
A Bed Full of Cats
BOOoop is a Halloween themed version of Boop, the award-winning 2022 release from designer Scott Brady. In the center of the table is the pillowy soft bed that felines cannot resist. Both players are given 8 kittens in their player color (white or black). Players alternate turns adding their kittens to a square on the bed. When a kitten is added to the bed, any kittens in the 8 spaces around it are “booped” one space away.
As kittens are booped around the board, players are trying to line up 3 of their own kittens to unlock their adult cats. When you line up 3 of your kittens, they are removed from the bed and 3 adult cats are added to your supply to use on future turns.
Adult cats are more sturdy and can’t be booped by kittens. Players are ultimately trying to line up 3 adult cats in your color (vertically, horizontally or diagonally) in order to win the game.
Scaredy Cat?
While the core gameplay in BOOoop is the same as the original game, there’s a new ghost cat the each player has access to. These ghost cats can be placed at the edge of the bed, along any one of the seams. At the end of the players turn, they advance their ghost cat along the seam in a straight path.
The ghost cat will scare any adjacent cats they encounter. This scare will push the cat one space away or further if they have a cat sitting next to them. The ghost cat almost feels like a train that is set on a track. Placed at just the right time, the ghost cat can disrupt the other player or push your own cat into a better position.
BOOoop adds this strategic twist that is a nice touch. Even though the ghost cat is included in the game, it’s completely optional to use. Players ultimately chose when or if they will play their ghost cat.
A Modern Classic
With two versions of this game available, some have asked if BOOoop offers enough to warrant a purchase. The original Boop has been really well received since its release and feels like a modern classic. BOOoop has a cute Halloween theme that we really connect with.
I find myself utilizing the ghost cat more often then my wife Erin does. I like the additional strategy of trying to setup just the right move before the ghost cat arrives in a specific space. One of my favorite victories was when my opponents ghost cat scared one of my adult cats into a line two spaces away, giving me a win.
Boop is a gem of a game and is one of the best 2-player games on the market today. Our family has an extensive collection of Halloween themed board games and BOOoop fits right in. If you’ve looked at this game before, you can’t go wrong with either version of the game.
I personally really enjoy the addition of the ghost cat and I think it was the right decision to make it optional for players to use. The wooden kitten and cat tokens are sturdy and the plush bed game board is well made.
If you’re looking for an excellent 2-player game that will hit the table often, you have two versions to choose from. For our Halloween loving family, BOOoop is a must own!
You can purchase a copy of BOOoop from the Smirk & Dagger webstore, at your local board game store or online through Amazon today.
This game was provided to us by the publisher for review. Read more about our review policies at One Board Family.
Highs
- Deceptively strategic
- Excellent component quality all around
- Tough to play just a single game
Lows
- Halloween theme may not hit the table as often as the original Boop
Complexity
Time Commitment
Replayability
