Coffee Rush: the review

“Coffee Rush” immediately captivates with its materials: transparent cups, eight types of ingredient tokens, and beautifully illustrated cards. The quality of the components is high, and the internal organizer is designed for quick game setup. The aesthetic care and attention to detail make the game a true feast for the eyes.

In the game, 2–4 players take on the role of baristas in a frantic race to fulfill the coffee shop’s customer orders. The game board features a 4×4 grid where players move their baristas to collect ingredients. Every move counts—not just the final square. Players can earn “Hurry” tokens as bonuses, which allow extra moves. The game starts off relaxed but quickly becomes frenetic as new orders arrive. Completed orders earn “Likes” on social media, which serve as victory points.

Strategic choices revolve around ingredient collection and order management. With three completed orders, players can unlock upgrades that enable diagonal movement or double ingredient collection. The game also requires a bit of tactical thinking—deciding when to use Rush tokens or when to sacrifice orders for upgrades that can change the course of the game. As orders pile up, the pressure increases, making every decision crucial.

A random element comes from the random drawing of order cards. This aspect may be more noticeable at the beginning of the game, but it’s balanced with a rule variant that provides an easy order during setup.

Games of “Coffee Rush” typically last between 40 and 45 minutes—slightly longer than the 30-minute estimate on the box. The game is accessible and intuitive, making it an excellent choice for introducing new players to board games or for casual game nights. However, limited player interaction and the lack of variable setups can make the game feel repetitive after several rounds.

Thoughts on Coffee Rush Gameplay

During my games, I quickly felt the adrenaline of a barista dealing with peak hour. Every move requires careful planning: which order to fulfill first, how to navigate the grid to collect the necessary ingredients without getting in the way of other players. The strategy in “Coffee Rush” reveals itself in the choices you make—when to use precious “Hurry” tokens for extra moves, or when to sacrifice some orders for upgrades that could turn the tide of the game.

I particularly appreciated the mechanism that moves orders along each player’s board. This feature adds a sense of urgency and growing pressure as the game progresses. Unfulfilled orders become a thorn in your side, threatening to turn into penalties—and this constant threat forces you to make quick, sometimes risky decisions.

“Coffee Rush” relies on intuitive mechanics yet isn’t lacking in depth. Collecting ingredients through movement on the grid is an aspect that requires a good dose of forward planning and adaptability. Upgrades present an interesting dilemma: is it worth trading certain guaranteed victory points for abilities that might lead to greater success later? The answer varies depending on each player’s playstyle and the specific situation of the game.

Conclusions

In the end, “Coffee Rush” is a game that shines with its accessibility and visual appeal, while still offering an engaging and challenging gaming experience. It works well both for family game sessions and as an introduction to board games for newcomers. The possibility of multiple strategies and the increasing pressure of orders make it an excellent choice for those seeking a dynamic and fun game—even if it may not have the same strategic depth as other, more complex titles.

Video Review and Gameplay

AleBoardGamer has created an excellent video review with gameplay of this new board game distributed by Asmodee.