Try your luck at a vending machine to see which toy you get in Gasha a little set collection game from 25th Century Games. A fun theme and artwork drew me in, but is this little game interesting enough to keep coming back to? And if so, what is it that makes it stand out from other smaller filler games?

How to Play Gasha

Gasha is a set collection game where you are getting these little toys from a vending machine. I say that, it’s in the theme, this is done in cards. You know what toy you might get, but there are a few options. So on your turn you are drawing a couple of cards, hoping to get what you need. And if you do, you complete sets, and get point cards and tickets.

So the two things you do are really either draw two cards. Or you play out cards to complete a set. Like I said, each set, or card that needs a set, is going to give you part of a ticket. How do the tickets work? Well, with a ticket, you get a bonus prize. So half a ticket on a card, you need two to get the bonus. That can be two random toys (two wilds), an extra turn, or three bonus points.

The game ends in one of three ways. All the cards of toys are gone, drawn, very unlikely you’ll get that. All the possible set cards (toy combinations) are gone, also unlikely but more definitely possible. Or the most likely, all the bonuses are gone. Once that happens everyone gets one last turn. Highest points from the tickets and bonus tokens wins the game.

What Doesn’t Work?

This is a very light game, with a fair amount of luck. Is that enough to complain about? I think it is more something to know going into the game. The luck of drawing the cards is not going to work for some people. Though in a 20 minute game, maybe a bit longer at higher player counts, it is very much a filler.

It is also a set collection filler, does it do enough to differentiate from other filler weight set collection games? I look at ones like Point Salad which is another fast set collection game. I think Gasha is easier to teach than that, and Gasha can be mean, but less so than Point Salad. But does it strongly stand apart, I don’t know. It feels more to be in the mix with other fillers.

What Works?

As for what works, it is a filler game and it lives up to that name. The game is fast, simple to learn and easy to play. And as you add in more players, it plays from 2 to 6, it won’t make the game that much longer. It is definitely faster with two, as most games tend to be, and that is done through scaling the number of bonuses depending on player count.

It also works with the ruleset. The game play is simple and not in a bad way. Though, that begs the question, is it too simple? And I think it isn’t. When I draw a card, I know what it might be. So I play the odds that I will get what I need. And I know when to push or pivot. There is decision making, but the game is light and easy to learn, a good balance.

Who Is It For?

I think Gasha is for two different groups of people. Firstly, for people who like really light games, or who want a light game to play with family. This is an easy one to teach family and with cute artwork and theme, it is accessible that way as well. Gasha is a family holiday game.

Or, it is for gamers who have a game group where you maybe need a filler or five in the mix. You split into two groups both playing long games. One is done in an hour and the other is going to be another half hour. Gasha is a good fit for that game that you can play in that half hour or less while another group wraps up. Even if people don’t know the game, you teach it fast. And Gasha isn’t a turn your brain off at the door experience. Not brain burning, but it isn’t a party game or a non decision kids game.

Final Grade – Gasha

I think Gasha is a fun. And often times fun is enough for me, and it is in this case. Gasha likely won’t always be in my collection, though. And this is something that happens with these lighter filler games. You play it a number of times, you get a new one and rotate the old one out. The main reason it might stick is the theme and the ease of play.

Yes, all filler is going to be lighter and easier to play. But this is a small box I could see bringing places. Or it is one that family will get fast, know the rules, and enjoy for a while. And often times, that is enough for me to keep it in my collection. And as I play it, I’m not bored by it. The luck and randomness of drawing the cards is a fun push your luck. And yes, the game play is the same, but I don’t feel like it is one you explore and want more from, like other filler games that I’ve grown bored of.

My Grade: B
Gamer Grade: C-
Casual Grade: A

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