After multiple plays with different player counts and gaming groups, Stamp Swap offers a refreshingly unique take on both drafting and tile placement mechanics. Let’s see why this game deserves your attention, even if you’ve never given stamp collecting a second thought.

Components and Production Value

The physical implementation of Stamp Swap’s mechanics showcases thoughtful design decisions throughout. The double-sided stamp tiles feature distinct tactile differences between their face-up and face-down states, making hidden information management intuitive during gameplay. The contest cards utilize a clever modular design that creates significantly different gameplay experiences through their various combinations. We like how the player boards integrate the reserve area and specialist card spaces in a way that guides play flow. The decision to use different stamp sizes isn’t just cosmetic. But creates meaningful choices during both the drafting and placement phases, especially when working toward specific contest goals.

The components are solid, not too complicated and easy to understand.

Our Recent Play Experience

During one session with our regular gaming group, we had a fascinating four-player game that showed what makes Stamp Swap unique. Tome, typically our group’s aggressive strategist, was initially frustrated by the inability to keep everything he drafted. However, his perspective shifted dramatically during the second round when he masterfully manipulated the swap phase to acquire exactly what he needed for his collection.

The game began with everyone carefully selecting from the mixture of face-up and face-down stamps. Ivan, playing to his exhibitor card’s strength, focused heavily on vehicle-themed stamps while Tijana worked on building a color-coordinated collection. The tension peaked during the swap phase when Tome split his items into two piles: one containing three highly desirable stamps and two questionable face-down ones, while the other pile contained what appeared to be less valuable items. This clever division forced other players into a difficult decision, ultimately allowing him to keep precisely what he wanted while appearing to offer a tempting alternative.

Core Mechanics

The game’s three-round structure, each divided into Collect, Swap, and Show phases, creates a rhythm of tension and release. The drafting mechanism isn’t just about taking what you want. Still, it’s about taking what others might wish to and using that knowledge during the swap phase. This creates a fascinating psychological element that differentiates it from traditional drafting games.

What Works Exceptionally Well:

• The blend of open drafting and “I cut, you choose” mechanics creates genuine tension and interesting decisions
• Three-round structure provides just enough time to build a collection without overstaying its welcome
• Contest cards offer different scoring pathways each game, significantly boosting replayability
• The spatial puzzle element of fitting stamps into your album adds another layer of strategy

Potential Drawbacks:

• The specialist card powers, while interesting, sometimes create timing questions that require rulebook consultation during initial plays
• The reserve mechanism, while strategic, can feel somewhat limiting, with only one item allowed per round in standard play
• The simultaneous nature of the show phase can sometimes lead to scoring oversight in larger player counts
• Certain contest card combinations can create power imbalances that experienced players might exploit

Depth of Strategy

What appears as a straightforward collecting game reveals impressive strategic depth. The interplay between exhibitor bonuses, specialist abilities, contest card timing, and forever stamp collection creates multiple viable paths to victory. Do you focus on immediate scoring opportunities or play the long game, setting up for bigger payoffs in later rounds?

Replayability and Variability

The game’s noticeable replayability is one of the most impressive aspects we’ve discovered through multiple plays. The combination of different contest cards (with six variations for each of the five categories), various exhibitor cards, and the ever-changing dynamics of face-up and face-down stamps ensures that no two games feel the same. During our testing period, we played over five games with different groups, and each session presented unique strategic challenges.

Player Count Analysis

After testing at various player counts, we can offer specific insights for each configuration:

2 Players

Surprisingly robust at this count. The imaginary player mechanic for forever stamp scoring creates an interesting additional consideration without feeling artificial. The strategic tension is particularly noticeable here, as you’re more able to predict what will return to you during the swap phase.

3 Players

It’s the sweet spot for competitive play. The dynamics of pile-splitting and choosing become particularly interesting, as there’s always the possibility of keeping both your piles if the other players focus on each other’s offerings.

4-5 Players

Creates the most dynamic marketplace but requires more attention to timing and opponent monitoring. The simultaneous play elements keep downtime manageable, though the complexity of tracking multiple opponents’ strategies increases significantly.

Playtime Context

Our extensive testing across multiple player counts revealed consistent patterns that align with player experience. First-time players typically complete games in about 45-50 minutes, while experienced groups can finish at lower player counts in as little as 25 minutes. Two-player games move remarkably quickly, often wrapping up in 20-30 minutes once players are familiar with the mechanics. At higher player counts of 4-5 players, sessions typically extend to 45-60 minutes. However, the game’s simultaneous action phases help maintain steady engagement throughout.

This scalability makes it an excellent option for both focused gaming sessions and as part of a larger game night. The sweet spot tends to be with 3-4 players, where the game has an ideal balance between strategic richness and playing time. The simultaneous action phases are particularly effective at preventing analysis paralysis, keeping the game moving briskly regardless of player count. Even in our longest sessions with new players, the game never overstayed its welcome, thanks to the clear round structure and well-defined phases.

What About the Solo Mode? – Pinzetta mode

Stamp Swap’s solo mode introduces us to Pinzetta, a clever artificial opponent with unique mechanics that maintain the core experience of the multiplayer game while adding its own twists. Named after the Italian word for “tweezers” (a nod to how collectors handle valuable stamps), Pinzetta offers a surprisingly engaging solo experience across multiple difficulty levels.

The solo implementation preserves the game’s “I cut, you choose” mechanism through a clever system of decision cards and event cards that drive Pinzetta’s actions. What impressed us most was how the artificial opponent creates genuine tension during the swap phase. Pinzetta’s decisions, while automated, feel natural and challenging rather than arbitrary.

The solo mode includes an approachable “Intro Mode” that helps players learn the core systems gradually, particularly Pinzetta’s appraisal of items. This thoughtful onboarding demonstrates the designers’ understanding that solo players need a proper learning curve just as much as those in multiplayer sessions.

The three difficulty levels offer meaningful progression during our solo plays. Level 1 provides a solid introduction to the system. In contrast, Level 3 creates a genuinely challenging experience that required us to carefully consider every decision. The appraisal token system, which determines how Pinzetta values different items, creates interesting decisions that mirror the psychological elements present in multiplayer games.

One clever aspect is how Pinzetta’s mat (printed on the backside of regular player mats) integrates with the yellow contest card to determine setup, creating variability while maintaining balance. The event cards add another layer of unpredictability that keeps solo sessions fresh and engaging.

However, solo players should note that setup requires slightly more attention than the multiplayer game, particularly in managing the decision cards and event cards. While not complex, it does require careful attention to ensure proper execution of Pinzetta’s turns.

The solo mode succeeds in capturing the essence of what makes Stamp Swap engaging, the tension of splitting collections, the strategic placement of stamps, and the satisfaction of building a valuable collection while adapting these elements to work seamlessly in a single-player environment.

Final Thoughts

After many sessions of Stamp Swap, this game continues to surprise us in the best possible ways. Paul Salomon has created something special here, a game that’s both accessible and strategically rich. The way it transforms the simple act of collecting stamps into engaging gameplay decisions is noticeable. Well done, we like it, Stonemeier Games.

While speaking of the publishers, you should check out other games made by them, like Apiary, Vantage, and Wingspan.

The “I cut, you choose” mechanism, often underutilized in modern games, shines here in both multiplayer and solo modes. Pinzetta, the solo opponent, provides a genuinely challenging experience that captures the tension of human opponents, especially at higher difficulty levels.

Sure, there are small quirks, like some new players sometimes struggle with the transition from traditional drafting, and the event card setup can be fiddly. But these minor issues fade quickly as players get deeper into the game.

What impresses us most is how Stamp Swap creates meaningful decisions from simple choices. Whether you’re splitting piles to mislead opponents, timing your contest card selections, or carefully building your collection for the finale, each decision feels important without being overwhelming.

For anyone looking for a fresh take on drafting games or who enjoys clever mechanical twists on familiar concepts, Stamp Swap delivers. It’s proven itself to be more than just another set collection game. It’s a testament to how thoughtful design can make any theme engaging.

The post Stamp Swap board game Review – A Take on Collection Building appeared first on Board Games Land.

Designed by Tomáš Holek and published by Czech Games Edition, SETI places players in the role of a space exploration agency searching for extraterrestrial life. BTW to mention that when we were in the hall on the Essen spiel, SETI was the main show, everyone was there, also met a dude that explains how the game functions, very cool we can say. Here’s just a peak at what it was during the Essen spiel:

With its combination of multi-use cards, resource management, and an innovative rotating solar system mechanism, this eurogame combines strategic complexity with its unique theme. After multiple playthroughs across different groups, we’re here to share our experience with SETI and discuss its mechanics, components, and overall gameplay dynamics.

Main Game Components

The most unique thing about this board game is the setup of the main platform. If you didn’t understand, the main board of the SETI is separated in three pieces that fit together like a puzzle, that is something that we don’t usually see often.

The puzzle of the Main board

As said the main board consists of multiple pieces which are:

The Solar System Board

The show’s star (pun intended) is the rotating solar system mechanism. It’s beautifully made with three rotating rings that click satisfyingly into place. Like a space mission, each component has its purpose. The planet artwork is gorgeous, and more importantly, it’s functional. You can easily tell planets apart and see available spaces. However, rotating those rings can be a bit finicky, so handle them gently.

The Planetary Board

This is where your probes will spend most of their time, and it’s laid out intuitively. Each planet has clear spaces for orbiters and landers. The moon spaces are exceptionally well-designed—they’re small but easily accommodate your pieces. The dual-layer design here was smart, making it easy to place and remove pieces without disrupting others.

The Tech Board

The three distinct colors for different tech types make scanning easy, and the spaces are perfectly sized for the tech tiles. One small nitpick tho, the outline guides for tech tiles are sometimes oriented backward, which can be confusing during setup.

General Components of SETI

Two-Point Tiles

These teal-colored tiles serve as immediate scoring opportunities. While simple, their placement and timing can be crucial for maintaining momentum throughout the game.

Starting Player Marker & Solar System Rotation Tokens

The two solar system rotation tokens are crucial for tracking the game’s signature mechanism. They’re functional and clear, though we recommend keeping them in a designated spot to avoid confusion during play. We can say that the first player marker is very unique, and also very big for a marker.

Main Deck (138 cards)

The whole game functions based on this substantial deck of 138 cards. The multi-use nature of each card creates interesting decisions throughout the game. Card quality is excellent, and the artwork is both beautiful and functional. After numerous plays, our cards have held up well to repeated shuffling.

Player Components – The Research Tools

Player Boards

These are among the unique but kinda weird player boards we’ve seen, because it has 2 layers and also 2 sides, one for solo play (shown on the right) and one for multiplayer. but the good thing is that the tiles can fit perfectly. The dual-layer construction is fantastic, no more pieces sliding around when someone bumps the table.

Player Pieces

Each player gets 8 figures and 30 markers in their color, along with a publicity counter and score counter for tracking progress. The probe figures are particularly satisfying to handle. However, there’s a slight color mismatch between the RE-Wood pieces and cardboard components, of course we’re overreacting, it’s not a deal-breaker.

Markers are abundant, which is good because you’ll use lots of them. The publicity and score counters are distinctive enough to be distinct from regular markers. Each player also gets a handy 100/200-point token for when you really start racking up those points, and an income card that’s crucial for resource management. you’ll use lots of them. The publicity and score counters are distinctive enough to be distinct from regular markers.

Quick Reference Sheets

A thoughtful addition is the inclusion of four quick reference sheets, which have proven invaluable during our early games. These sheets clearly outline all possible actions and serve as a constant reminder of your strategic options.

Technologies and Scoring components

Tech Tiles

These dual-sided tiles are cleverly designed. The immediate bonus side is bright, while the permanent effect side is more subdial but still clear. The different colors and shapes make them easy to sort and recognize.

Gold Scoring Tiles

These tiles are double-sided, nature adds nice variability to scoring strategies. The metallic color makes them stand out appropriately as important end-game elements.

Alien Species Components

Each alien species comes as a complete package with its board, cards, and unique pieces. The variety is impressive, and the components are consistently high quality. The rule sheets for each species are clear and well-organized.

Storage tip: Keep each species components in separate bags you’ll thank yourself during setup.

Resources and Data Tokens

The 30 credit and 30 energy tokens are of standard CGE quality, which is very good. The 70 data tokens are particularly nice, with a translucent blue that feels appropriate for representing scientific information. They’re all easy to handle and distinguish.

The production value of every component is high across the board. Everything feels durable and well-made, though some components (like the rotating rings) require gentle handling. The graphic design deserves special praise, it manages to be beautiful and functional, which is challenging in a complex game.

The Solo Components

Solo Objective Tiles

The game comes with 24 solo objective tiles that add a unique challenge to the single-player experience. These tiles create specific goals that you’ll need to balance against your regular strategy. The objectives are varied enough to keep each solo game feel unique, and their design makes it easy to track your progress.

Rival Action Cards

The 19 rival action cards form the core of your AI opponent’s strategy. Each card clearly indicates what action your rival institution will take, eliminating any ambiguity during play. The cards simulate an opponent’s moves effectively, creating a tense and competitive atmosphere even in solo play.

Setup of SETI

The setup process has nice flow, data tokens are placed on nearby stars, tech tiles are shuffled onto their designated spaces, and the end-of-round card stacks are organized. While the tech tiles require more attention during setup due to their face-down placement and 2-point tiles on top, the rest of the components find their places on the well-designed board spaces.

Minor issues did appear during setup. Aligning the solar system discs and ensuring the random configuration of sectors proved to be a bit of a time taker. The markers occasionally cluttered the board, especially during intense scoring phases. Despite these minor setbacks, the overall production quality and aesthetic appeal more than compensated.

Gameplay Mechanics – What makes this game so special?

Captain’s Log, Playthrough Date 2024.3: Our latest mission to explore strange new worlds and seek out new civilizations has led us to some fascinating discoveries…

SETI combines familiar Eurogame mechanics with novel twists. Players take one main action per turn, choosing from options such as launching probes, scanning nearby stars, and analyzing collected data. The game’s resource management focuses on three key elements: credits, energy, and cards.

Multi-Use Cards

The 138 cards in SETI are central to gameplay having multiple uses:

Players can play them for their main action, discard them for immediate benefits (either credits or energy), use them for free actions, tuck them under their income card to boost resources or save them for end-game scoring.

This versatility makes it so that every card shows its value, though deciding how to use each can lead to analysis paralysis. Learning the timing of card usage is crucial. We’ve seen games won and lost based on whether a player held onto a powerful card too long or played it at the right moment.

Rotating Solar System and Core Actions

The solar system rotation mechanism is SETI’s most innovative and unique aspect. At specific points in the game, players rotate one of the three solar system discs (inner, middle, and outer), shifting planets and altering probe movement paths. This forces players to anticipate board changes and adapt their strategies accordingly. In our games, timing these rotations can create exciting opportunities or completely disrupt an opponent’s carefully laid plans. For instance, timing probe movements to coincide with planetary alignments can lead to significant advantages. At the same time, a poorly timed rotation might leave your probe stranded in an inefficient position.

The game features several core actions that form the backbone of gameplay:

Probe Actions

Players can launch probes into space, move them between planets, and either place them in orbit or land them on celestial bodies while earning stuff. By default, each player is limited to having one probe in space at a time unless specific technologies or card effects allow for additional probes. Landing on moons, while offering benefits, requires acquiring specific technology upgrades.

Scanning nearby stars

The game’s area control element comes through telescope scanning, allowing players to place signal tokens in different space sectors. When a sector fills with signals, it starts a scoring phase where majority control matters. We’ve been in times where signal placement and timing led to substantial point swings. The strategy here involves deciding whether to spread signals across multiple sectors or concentrate on securing majorities in specific areas.

Technology Development

Tech tiles provide immediate bonuses and permanent abilities, with their dual-sided nature adding more strategy. Players must decide when to research and which side of a tile to prioritize. For example, the immediate bonus might improve a player’s resource position, while the permanent side enhances long-term efficiency. We’ve had played games where early technology investments created strong engines that flew victory. The decision of when to invest in technology versus pursuing immediate scoring opportunities creates a strategic tension.

Life Form Discovery

The actual point of the board game is shown here, where players discover alien species by accumulating trace tokens through various actions. When you think you’ve mastered your probe trajectories, those sneaky Mascamites show up and throw all your carefully laid plans into a cosmic whirlwind! Players mark life traces on discovery spaces for each species. The species is discovered if all three spaces are filled, introducing new strategy options.

Strategic Depth and Replayability

The multi-use makes each game unique, while the alien species and variable board setups add replayability. However, the game’s complexity, particularly during scoring phases, can be overwhelming for some beginners, so try a lighter board game first. Teaching SETI effectively requires breaking down the turn structure and emphasizing the importance of long-term planning.

From a strategic view, it is very important to balance immediate scoring opportunities with long-term engine building. For instance, investing early in telescope technologies allowed us to dominate sector scans in later rounds, a tactic that rewarded us with significant points and publicity.

Interaction and Downtime

Interaction in SETI is subtle yet impactful. Competing for planetary orbits, sector dominance, and limited tech tiles fosters indirect competition. However, the downtime between turns, particularly in a four-player game, occasionally felt prolonged. Playing with our experienced team, which is mostly with quick-decision players, lightened this issue significantly.

Our experience with multiple variants

First Game – Learning

In our initial three-player game, the rulebook’s detailed examples and reference sheets were pointless. The first round was slow as we familiarized ourselves with the card effects and mechanics. By the second round, strategies started to appear, with one player focusing on telescope techs to dominate scanning sectors. At the same time, another prioritized probe was launched to explore the outer planets. Despite the complexity, the game flowed smoothly after the initial learning step.

Highlight Playthrough – 4 Players

One of our most memorable sessions was a 4-player game featuring the Mascamites and Oumuamua alien species. Early in the game, we focused on probe launches, racing to claim orbits around Mars and Jupiter. The mid-game was a heated competition in the scanning sectors, with players leveraging telescope techs to maximize signal placement. The discovery of the Mascamites brought a twist, granting bonuses for previously placed life traces. By the end, the game was won by a player who balanced card play, efficient probe movements, and well-timed solar system rotations to secure high-value milestones.

Solo Experience

Playing solo against the rival institution reveals the game’s puzzle-like nature. The rival’s actions are governed by an automated deck that follows a clear decision tree. For example, the rival prioritizes actions such as winning sectors, acquiring tech, and marking life traces based on a predefined logic. Their progress is tracked using a marker, and they score points for uncompleted objectives. This creates a dynamic and competitive solo mode, though managing their upkeep can be tedious.

Thematic Resonance

From sending probes to distant planets to analyzing data for traces of alien life, every mechanic ties back to its narrative of scientific curiosity and exploration. Including real-world projects like the Voyager probes and theoretical concepts like Oumuamua’s exofossils further cement its appeal to space enthusiasts.

Scoring milestones and managing markers is seen as more mechanical than evocative of groundbreaking discoveries. These moments highlighted the game’s Eurogame roots, where mechanics occasionally overshadow the theme.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths

• The Solar System Wheel: Not just a gimmick – this rotating mechanism kept us on our toes and made every game feel dynamic.
• Endless Variety: We’re still discovering new combinations after dozens of plays.
• Space Theme is Done Right: We like how the game captures the beauty of space exploration.
• Component Quality: Dual-layer boards and unique artwork enhance the tactile experience.

Weaknesses

• Learning the game: The game’s complexity can overwhelm new players.
• Administration: Scoring and upkeep require careful attention, particularly with newer players or in solo mode.
• Table Space: This game is a table hog. We had to relocate from our regular gaming table to the dining room to fit everything comfortably.
• Decision Overload: With many possible actions and card combinations, some players (especially Alex) got stuck in analysis paralysis. By the end, we were exhausted but satisfied.

Final Thoughts – A Stellar Addition to Any Collection?

SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence is a standout title for fans of heavy eurogames and theme developed strategy. A lot of people have said that the game has a similar concept like other board games like Ark Nova or Terraforming Mars, but SETI feels more refined and interactive. Tomáš Holek, while relatively new to the design scene, has shown remarkable talent for creating intricate yet intuitive systems, much like in his previous work on Under Falling Skies.

We’ve found SETI plays best with 2-3 players. Our 4-player games, while enjoyable, tend to run long – our last one clocked in at nearly four hours! The sweet spot is three players, where downtime is manageable, and the competition for board positions feels just right. The solo mode is surprisingly engaging, though be prepared for some bookkeeping.

While both Ark Nova and SETI share a card-driven engine-building core and similar weight in complexity, SETI’s rotating solar system mechanism and focus on area control creates a more interactive experience compared to Ark Nova’s more solitary zoo-building pursuit. And of course, the theme of the game isn’t even similar. Where Ark Nova excels in its conservation and zoo management theme with its extensive animal card variety, SETI shines through its innovative space exploration mechanics that feel more dynamically integrated with its core systems. Both games reward careful planning and strategic card play, but SETI’s shorter playtime (2-3 hours compared to Ark Nova’s 3-4 hours) and more direct player interaction through competing for planetary spots and sector majorities makes it feel more accessible despite its similar strategic depth.

For those considering adding SETI to their collection, we recommend it if you enjoy:

• The strategy that reveals itself over multiple plays
• Theme that enhances gameplay
• Puzzling out efficient action combinations
• Space exploration themes backed by solid mechanics

However, it might only be for you if you prefer shorter games under 90 minutes or prefer keeping track of multiple scoring conditions. For a spaced theme game, try Apiary. We’re not saying it is similar; it is for people who like space-themed games.

Much like searching for extraterrestrial intelligence, patience and persistence are rewarded. Though, unlike real SETI scientists, we find aliens in this one! Even after more than 5 plays, we’re still discovering new strategies and card combinations… While it may only hit the table a few weeks due to its length and complexity, SETI has become a modern classic in our collection. It offers excellent value at around $70-80, considering the component quality and replay value. Despite occasional forgotten income collection or missed scoring opportunities, its achievements far outweigh its flaws, making it a standout title in an era of countless board game releases.

The post Is SETI REALLY the BEST 2024 Eurogame? – Full Review appeared first on Board Games Land.

First Impressions and Components

We first saw and also played Explorers of Navoria in the Essen Spiel 2024, we also grabbed some photos for you guys to see. It was very fun to play, we played with other people as well, it was great!

Opening Explorers of Navoria immediately sets the tone of a fantasy board game with its vibrant, whimsical artwork. The game board presents a colorful landscape featuring three distinct exploration tracks – Forest, Desert, and Glacier – each with its own character and strategic implications. The component quality is solid throughout, with thick cardboard tokens and cards that feel built to last.

The game includes:

• A beautifully illustrated main board
• 60 townsfolk cards across four different types (merchant/blue, builder/yellow, soldier/red, and artisan/green)
• 15 action tokens (3 of each type)
• 54 goods tokens (18 each of weapons, minerals, and food)
• Trading post and exploration markers
• Player boards
• Favor tiles and markers
• 1 draw bag

While the cardboard components are perfectly functional, we were particularly impressed with the graphic design that makes the game’s various systems intuitive to track and manage. The iconography is clear and consistent, making it easy to parse information even from across the table.

Gameplay Overview

At its core, Explorers of Navoria is a game about managing resources and opportunities across exactly three rounds of play. Each round follows a strict four phase structure – Recruit, Gather, Income, and Return – creating a satisfying rhythm of decision-making and progression.

The genius of the design lies in how these phases interconnect. During the Recruit phase, players must make crucial decisions about which action tokens to take and where to place them. You can either draw two tokens from the bag (choosing one to use and placing the other in the town center) or take one from the town center if any are available. These early decisions cascade through the rest of the round, affecting your ability to gather resources, generate income, and position yourself for future opportunities.

Our Recent Playthrough

In our most recent four-player game, we witnessed the various strategies the game enables. One memorable moment came in the second round when we were exploring the Glacier territory. Angelina had established an early presence with trading posts, while Alexander pushed hard with adventurer cards to explore deeper into the region. Despite both players building trading posts in the same spaces (which the rules explicitly allow), the tension remained high during the Gather phase when both players were vying for the same action spaces in town.

Angelina had carefully cultivated relationships with the merchant guilds, giving her a steady stream of income through species icon matching, while Alexander’s exploration-heavy strategy meant he was scoring big points from reaching milestone markers and treasure spots on the tracks. Meanwhile, Ivan focused on the artisan cards, efficiently collecting and distributing goods to fulfill orders. Goce pursued a balanced approach that kept her competitive throughout.

The game came down to the wire, with Angelina’s merchant-focused strategy ultimately prevailing by a narrow margin, demonstrating how different approaches can remain viable throughout the game.

Strategy Behind Explorers of Navoria

What makes Explorers of Navoria particularly engaging is its layered strategic elements:

Action Token Management

The decision between drawing from the bag or taking from the town center creates meaningful tension at every turn. The bag draw offers uncertainty but potential opportunity, while the town center provides guaranteed options but requires at least one token to be present to use this option.

Territory Development

Each of the three territories offers different advantages and scoring opportunities. The trading post system allows multiple players to build in the same spaces, creating an interesting dynamic where players must carefully time their expansion while considering the bonus scoring opportunities from treasures at the end of each track.

Set Collection and Timing

The race to collect sets of species icons adds another compelling dimension to card selection. Timing when to claim favor tiles becomes crucial, as only the first two players to collect five icons of a species can claim its benefits, with different scoring values based on who claims first.

Resource Management

Through careful card selection and placement, players must efficiently collect and distribute goods to their different territory docks. The artisan cards provide opportunities to gather specific resources and complete valuable orders, though this requires careful planning rather than complex engine building.

Player Count Considerations

We’ve tested the game at various player counts, and it scales remarkably well:

• At 2-3 players, each player recruits 4 cards per round, allowing for more strategy
• At 4 players, each player recruits 3 cards per round, creating tighter decisions
• The tension for action spaces and territory development remains engaging at all player counts

The game’s structure naturally adjusts to maintain balanced gameplay across all player counts, with specific rules for exploration rewards at different player counts.

Learning Curve and Teaching

One of Explorers of Navoria’s strengths is its approachability. While multiple systems are at play, they all interact logically, making the game relatively easy to teach to experienced gamers. The clear phase structure – Recruit, Gather, Income, Return – provides a natural framework for teaching the game. So if you’re a beginner, maybe try something easier before this.

In our experience teaching the game to multiple groups, and also learning in the Essen spiel, we’ve found success with this approach:

1. Start with an overview of the four phases
2. Explain the two options in the Recruit phase (bag draw vs town center)
3. Detail each card type and its unique functions
4. Emphasize key rules like not refilling displays during recruitment and the importance of the Return phase for repositioning exploration markers

The clear iconography, well-structured player aids, and the round summary page in the rulebook help new players stay oriented throughout their first game. Pretty easy right?

Production Quality and Art Direction

The artwork deserves special mention for how it enhances the gameplay experience. The illustrations strike a balance between being clear and aesthetically pleasing. Each exploration track has its distinct visual identity, making it easy to distinguish different areas of the board at a glance.

The graphic design supports the gameplay remarkably well. Card effects are clearly indicated through consistent iconography, and the various tracks and spaces on the board are intuitive to follow. The use of color coding throughout the components helps players quickly identify the four different card types and their associated actions.

Potential Drawbacks

While Explorers of Navoria is an excellent game overall, there are a few considerations worth noting:

• The first game can feel somewhat overwhelming due to learning the timing of different card effects (immediate, income phase, or end-game scoring)
• At 4 players, downtime between turns can become noticeable, particularly during the Gather phase when players must place tokens in reverse turn order
• Some may find the randomness of the token bag draw frustrating in crucial moments, though the town center option provides a mitigation strategy
• The treasure bonus system, while adding richness to the strategy, can sometimes create significant point swings that might surprise new players

The Verdict of Explorers of Navoria

After numerous plays with different groups, we can confidently say that Explorers of Navoria is a strong addition to the medium-weight strategy game genre. It successfully combines worker placement and set collection mechanics with innovative exploration and territory development systems that create a fresh and engaging experience, well done
Dranda Games, we like it.

The game shines by forcing players to constantly adapt their strategies while building toward long-term goals. The interaction between different card types, the race for favorable positions on the exploration tracks, and the tension between immediate rewards and end-game scoring create compelling decisions throughout the game.

For those who enjoy games with multiple paths to victory and interesting strategic decisions, Explorers of Navoria is an easy recommendation. It offers enough depth to reward repeated plays while remaining accessible enough to serve as a step up for those looking to explore more complex games. If you enjoy the randomness in ‘Explorers of Navoria,’ we recommend trying Quacks of Quedlinburg, Both games feature a similar bag-drawing mechanic that adds an element of unpredictability and excitement to the gameplay. For players who enjoy strategic exploration and territory control, Blue Lagoon could be a great choice. While the mechanics differ, both games involve themes of exploration and resource management, offering engaging gameplay in their own unique ways.

The game works particularly well at all supported player counts, with thoughtful scaling mechanisms like adjusted card counts and exploration rewards. The variable setup with randomized favor tiles and the different strategic approaches available through the four card types provide excellent replayability.

Explorers of Navoria earns its place on our shelf through its blend of elegant design, meaningful decisions, and satisfying gameplay. While it may not revolutionize the genre, it refines and combines existing elements in ways that create an engaging and highly replayable experience. Despite its strategy, the clear rulebook, consistent iconography, and well-structured phases make it easy to teach, making it a valuable addition to any gaming collection.

The post Explorers of Navoria Review – Will This be a Good Adventure? appeared first on Board Games Land.

Well, Re;ACT: The Arts of War makes you wonder why you didn’t. This game, with its anime-inspired visuals and card-driven combat, sends you into the universe of magical artists who duel with their craft, be it calligraphy, painting, or even summoning fish through dance. Yes, fish.

This little beauty, published by Brotherminggames, is a two-player game that usually lasts for about 30 minutes. Think of it as chess meets anime but with its own special twist. If you’re into games like Heroes of Timeline, you’ll feel right at home here.

First Impressions of Re;ACT

Everything just looked so neat and tidy, and also flood us with the components, even way too much. The rulebook made sense (mostly), the pieces were really well made, and each artist came with their own special set of tools that made us hungry to try them out.

Now, if you’re thinking of going all-in, the deluxe edition is where it’s at. We’ve played with both versions, and those acrylic standees are a total game changer! Instead of cardboard tokens, you get these gorgeous clear standees for all characters and their summons. They catch the light just right and make the whole battlefield feel more alive. Plus, those premium stitched playmats that replace the cardboard boards are incredible, so smooth you can use them as mouse pads.

While the standard version is solid, the deluxe edition comes in this beast of a box that can hold up to 22 characters. We’ve got the deluxe version, which contains the normal components, too, and honestly, while the regular version is perfectly fine, there’s something special about throwing down those acrylic standees on a premium playmat. It just hits different, you know?

The gameplay revolves around the “React Chain,” where players take turns playing cards, first with Intentions to make a move, then with Reactions to counter or boost actions. It’s a beautiful dance of strategy and timing. Think of it as if chess and a trading card game had a brainy baby but with way cooler visuals.

Our Adventures in Artistry

Our first match-up was Calligrapher versus Dancer, and oh boy…

Goce (calligrapher) is drawing magical symbols that come to life, while Vincenzo (dancer) is literally summoning fish through dance moves. The Calligrapher kept trying to set up these awesome combo attacks, while the Dancer just wouldn’t sit still, leaving these little scale tokens everywhere like a trail of breadcrumbs.

At one point, we were sure that Goce won. The Calligrapher had lined up a perfect chain-inked summons ready to strike. But just before the chain resolved, the Dancer swapped places with one of their fish, leaving us attacking empty air, “A mystical ink dragon dissolved into nothingness as Vincenzo’s eyes gleamed with triumph, his dance moves leaving a trail of sparkling energy in the air.”

It was infuriating in the best way possible. That moment right there was Re;ACT in a nutshell. You think you’ve figured it all out, and then… nope! It’s all about outsmarting your opponent and laughing (or crying) at the chaos that follows.

Re;ACT’s Asymmetry at Its Finest

What makes Re;ACT really special is how different each artist feels about playing. The Painter, for example, doesn’t even use cards like the others. Instead, she rolls dice to power her abilities. Her brushes and palettes become like a tiny army on the board and playing with her feels like solving a puzzle that keeps changing at every turn.

Then there’s the Sculptor, who floods the board with clay constructs. They’re slow, but they block and bash their way to dominance. In the deluxe version, these clay constructs look particularly impressive with their translucent acrylic standees catching the light. We had this one game where they completely took over the board. Sure, they move like molasses, but watching them slowly box in the Dancer until they couldn’t even summon a single fish was like watching a masterclass in board control. Also his creature looks cute.

And don’t get us started on the Tagger, who teleports across the board using graffiti murals. This character is like a street artist who turned urban chaos into a tactic. Every move felt like a mind game, with traps and misdirection galore. And if you managed to snag the Kickstarter Collector’s Edition, you’ve got even more variety with the exclusive Storyteller character and the DJ expansion, adding their own unique flavors to the mix.

Writing this section feels like talking about some artificial video game, but this is even better than video games.

The Masterpiece Mechanic Is a Work of Genius

Here’s what makes this game really special. The Masterpiece system isn’t just about winning. It’s also how you keep track of getting hurt! Every time someone lands a hit on you, you have to flip one of your Masterpiece cards face-down. Don’t worry, though, these flipped cards still count towards completing your art piece, which is pretty neat.

The board has five spots that both players share for their Masterpiece cards. You can use your turn to either add a new card or mess with your opponent’s cards. It’s like playing chess while working on an art project, so you’ve got to think about both!

The really cool part? Once you finish your masterpiece (by getting three matching cards), your artist will be powered up with special abilities. But here’s the catch, you only get to use these super moves once before going back to normal. We learned this the hard way when we wasted our powered-up move at the wrong time! Even after you power down, you can still keep building your Masterpiece for another power-up later.

The Good, the Great, and the “Needs Work”

Look, we’ve played a bunch of matches now, and we’ve figured out what really works and what could be better.

So what the best part? Every Artist feels different, also every artist has its own difficulti, some are easy, some medium… you can see those things in the back of the box that you sort out the artists.

The Calligrapher, for example, is fantastic at controlling the board with ink summons, but if you can’t get them set up early, you’re in trouble. Then there’s the Dancer, which is super quick and tricky with those fish summons, but they need to plan their scale tokens carefully, or they’ll run out of moves.

A problem for us was the rulebook. While learning how to play, we were pretty confused for some time. This doesn’t mean that the game is bad, it’s great, but for the complexity it has it can be a bit more detailed about the stuff in the rulebook.

Also, each turn starts with a chance to work on your Masterpiece, and we learned that choosing when to do this is super important. Sometimes, it’s smarter to block your opponent from finishing their art piece rather than rushing to complete your own, especially if they’re close to powering up! Your opponent from finishing their art piece rather than rushing to complete your own, especially if they’re close to powering up!

Standard vs. Deluxe: Worth the Upgrade?

Look, we get it. Is the deluxe version worth the extra cash? Here’s our take: if you’re planning to go deep into Re;ACT, go for it. The bigger box alone is clutch, it’s got room for 22 characters, so you won’t need to worry about storage when expansions drop. The premium stitched playmats are a massive upgrade from the cardboard boards – they lay flat, look pro, and feel amazing to play on.

Can’t go without the acrylic standees, they’re great! feels like playing irl Yu-Gi-Og while summoning these creatures.

Also, we didn’t mention the boxes that come with the deluxe version, so you can sort out the elements of every artist. It’s very simple to construct the boxes. Here’s a video on how to make the box:

And if you managed to snag the Kickstarter Collector’s Edition? Even better. That exclusive Storyteller character and the DJ expansion add some serious spice to the mix. Plus, that artbook? Eye candy for anyone who digs the game’s aesthetic.

If not so deep into the game and not looking forward to playing it too much, also not interested in the lore, then give it a pass.

Also, we didn’t mention that with the deluxe comes the Collector’s Edition Artbook, like the art is super cool and modern. Love seeing all the rough sketches and early ideas for the characters. Pretty crazy how the Dancer almost had birds instead of fish.

Few Words on Replayability

We’ve introduced Re;ACT to quite a few gaming groups now, and it’s fun. That said, each artist only has four cards in their deck, so you’ll get to know their tricks pretty quickly. That’s not a bad thing. It means you can focus on getting better at using what you have rather than being overwhelmed with options. And if you’ve got the Collector’s Edition, those extra characters (DJ and Storyteller) really spice things up when you’re ready to explore new strategies. But still, with the normal version, you have enough characters, and it takes time to get bored of them.

Final Thoughts on Re;ACT

After spending countless hours with Re;ACT (and losing way too many times to Dancer), we can confidently say this game has earned its spot in our regular rotation. Whether you go for the standard or deluxe version really depends on how much you love pretty components. The base game is solid on its own and was lots of fun and competitive.

It reminds us a lot of Onitama, another brilliant Japanese-style chess game, especially in how it handles movement and strategy. But where Onitama is zen-like and methodical, Re;ACT is like its caffeinated cousin who just discovered anime.

For newcomers, we highly recommend starting with the Calligrapher. Yes, we know we complained about her earlier, but she’s actually perfect for learning the React Chain mechanics. Just don’t do what we did and try to take on an experienced Tagger player on your first go… That was a humbling experience.

If you’re coming from other tactical games like Magic: The Gathering or even chess, you’ll find familiar concepts here, but they’re implemented in fresh ways. The positioning matters like in chess, but the React Chain adds that layer of “will they, won’t they” tension that keeps you on your toes. And unlike many card games where you can get mana-screwed or deck-blocked, Re;ACT’s focused character decks mean you’re always in the game.

Sure, it’s not perfect. The occasional rule hiccup and longer matches can test your patience. But for us, the moments of clever outplays and unexpected reversals more than made up for it. Plus, that deluxe box has plenty of room for future expansions – imagine a whole roster of new artists joining the fray!

So, grab a friend, pick an artist, and let the battle of creativity begin. Just watch out for the fish – they look even more dangerous in acrylic!

The post Re;ACT Deluxe Edition Review – This Card Game Makes Chess Look Easy! appeared first on Board Games Land.

So picture this: You’re basically playing God with these little creatures on a planet that’s totally about to bite the dust. We’ve played it with our friends a bunch of times now, and it’s perfect for 2-6 players. What makes it super fun is how chaotic it gets while still maintaining enough strategy to keep your brain working!

Overview and Initial Impressions

The moment we opened the box, we we’re like, “Okay, this is pretty sick!”. The art on the cards is so colorful and fun, and there’s some hilarious text. What’s cool is that you don’t need to deal with a million pieces, just some Trait cards, Age cards, and these little trackers to keep count of your “Gene Pool” (a fancy way of saying how many cards you can hold).

How To Play Doomlings

Real talk, the game’s actually pretty simple to get your head around. You’re basically juggling cards in your hand while trying to build up your species. Each round starts with this “Age” card that shakes things up with new rules. Then you’re just drawing cards, playing them, and making sure you don’t hold too many cards past what your Gene Pool allows. And watch out for these nasty surprise cards called Catastrophes, they’ll mess up your whole game plan real quick! Our friend was crushing it until one of these bad boys showed up and totally wrecked their strategy!

Mechanics and Strategy

We love how this Gene Pool thing works, because it’s basically your card limit counter. Everyone starts being able to hold 5 cards, and you have to figure out if you want to get more slots or keep it small and simple. Some cards let you mess with this number. And the Age cards? They keep things fresh every round; sometimes, they’re super helpful, and other times, they make some of us want to pull our hair out!

Then there are these special cards called Dominant Traits. They’re like the power moves of the game. We had this one game where our friend Angelina was all excited about getting this “Ingenious” card that gave her extra points for collecting certain colors. She felt pretty clever until… wouldn’t you know it – a Catastrophe card showed up and wiped out half her cards.

Dominant Traits, powerful cards that often have unique scoring conditions, adds an element of risk versus reward. For instance, in one playthrough, we leveraged the Dominant Trait “Ingenious,” which allowed us to score additional points for specific Trait colors. While initially advantageous, the strategy backfired when a Catastrophe wiped out several cards from our Trait pile.

Our Game Night Highlights

We’ve played this game tons of times now, and it never gets old. We even played it once while waiting for the new year. This one time, we were all getting comfy with our strategies during the “Age of Discovery” (which lets everyone draw extra cards) when BOOM! A “Nuclear Winter” card showed up, and suddenly, everyone had to drop one cards from their hand. The frown seen was priceless.

And get this: During our family game night, one of our team members’ moms (who usually hates board games and never wants to play) got super into it. The “Feast or Famine” card made everyone scramble to pick their best three cards to keep, and she won that round! We couldn’t stop laughing at how proud she was.

The Artwork and Theme Behind Doomlings

Can we talk about how cute and funny the artwork is? Every card is just delightful to look at. Our favorite has to be the “Flatulence” trait, we don’t need to give you any explanation for this one… And when we played during that big storm last week, and the “Nuclear Winter” card came up, we all got goosebumps.

Replayability and Variability

No two games of Doomlings are the same, thanks to the randomization of Age cards and the sheer variety of Trait cards. Sometimes we take out cards we think are too powerful (looking at you, “Mega Evolution”!), especially when playing with newer folks. It keeps things fair and fun for everyone.

Strengths

1. Learning: Super easy to learn; you’ll get it after one game
2. Complexity: Enough strategy to keep it interesting but not enough to fry your brain
3. Dynamic Gameplay: It never gets boring, thanks to all the random stuff that can happen

Considerations

1. Randomness: If you’re the type who likes to plan everything out perfectly, the random elements might drive you nuts
2. Component Quality: Those Gene Pool trackers feel a bit cheap compared to the awesome cards
3. Player Interaction: Don’t expect tons of player interaction – everyone’s kind of doing their own thing most of the time

Final Thoughts on Doomlings

Look, if you want a game that’s gonna make you laugh while still giving your brain something to chew on, Doomlings is your jam. It’s perfect for those game nights when you want something fun but not too heavy. Sure, sometimes the random stuff can throw you for a loop, but that’s half the fun!

Our group has been playing it for a while now, and it still hits the table regularly. Even one of our friends who usually only likes super serious strategy games (yes, Vincenzo, you) admits it’s a good time. And let’s be real: Any game that can make the apocalypse this much fun is doing something right!

The post Doomlings Card Game Review – Surviving the End of the World? appeared first on Board Games Land.

We were working, and Angelina came into the office and pulled one of the smallest board games that we saw FROM HER POCKET! It’s Pizza Roles. This game is so simple and small that you can take it literally anywhere, yet it is still fun to play and can cure boredom at a party.

Pizza Roles is a light-hearted, social-deduction cardboard game with a unique twist on the hidden roles genre. Designed for 3–6 players and playable in about 10 minutes, this “filler” game manages to pack a surprising amount of strategy (well, not much, as it is only for fun, but for a game like that, it is very decent), deduction, and humor into a small package. Talking about the theme, it nails the awkward and often comical group decision-making process of ordering pizza, a relatable slice of life many of us have endured. Let’s uncover what makes Pizza Roles a treat worth savoring.

While settling down to play our first game, we decided to order a real pizza to get into the spirit. The irony wasn’t lost on us, we ended up using our actual game results to determine our real-life pizza toppings.

Components and Setup

The game comes with 54 cards divided into three distinct decks: Role cards, Toppings cards, and Conversation cards. The Role cards are double-sided, with one side displaying a secret objective and the other side serving as a reminder. These roles range from Carnivore Cate’s love of meats to Veggie Val’s preference for veggies. The Topping cards dictate the current pizza state and start in the “Not on the Pizza” zone, with their “Extra” side facing down. Conversation cards simulate the chaotic back-and-forth of a group pizza order, with humorous options like “This Is My Hill to Die On!” and “Social Anxiety.”

The topping cards dictate the current pizza state, while the Conversation cards simulate the chaotic back-and-forth of a group pizza order. We really liked the design; it took us back to the Friv days.

The setup is straightforward

1. Place the Topping cards in the “Not on the Pizza” zone
2. Deal each player one Role card and five Conversation cards
3. Optionally, remove cards like “Existential Crisis” when playing in “VS” mode for smoother gameplay. Maybe grab a pizza too…

And you’re ready to start debating your ideal pie. Including cards like “This Is My Hill to Die On!” and “Social Anxiety” is an extra way to spice up the game and spread its humor.

Yeah, that’s it.

By the end of it your player hand should look something like this:

Pizza Roles Gameplay Overview

The gameplay is deceptively simple. Players take turns playing Conversation cards to manipulate toppings, like moving them on or off the pizza, flipping them to their “extra” side for double points, or engaging in outright sabotage. The game ends when most players pass consecutively, prompting a reveal of secret roles and a tallying of points. As the aroma of our pizza wafted through the room (we’d ordered a basic margarita as our canvas), we found ourselves surprisingly invested in our actual and fictional topping choices.

Playthrough Highlights

In our first game, we played the classic “VS” mode. The roles were immediately at odds: Carnivore Cate and Veggie Val were locked in a fierce battle, with Cate pushing for double sausage. At the same time, Val quietly removed every meat topping she could. Our Friendliest Fred tried valiantly to mediate by flipping pineapple onto the pizza, but his efforts caused chaos, as flipped toppings doubled their impact and clashed with others’ goals. also, not to target anyone, but c’mon, man, pineapples on pizza??? The final score saw Cate win thanks to some well-timed plays of “I’m Really Craving” cards.

Funnily enough, our real-life pizza ended up mirroring our in-game creation. We agreed to honor the winning pizza configuration from our game, which meant Cate’s victory treated us to a meat-lovers paradise atop our Margherita base. Sometimes, life imitates art!

Our second game was in Cooperative Mode, and the stakes felt significantly higher. This mode requires players to create two pizzas while ensuring every player achieves a positive score. With roles like Hawaiian Huey and Fishy Finn on the table, the challenge was balancing pineapple and anchovies across two pies. By the final round, the tension was palpable as we debated whether to flip onions to their “extra” side, placing them on both pizzas. Despite our best efforts, a card tanked the game by ensuring one player fell short of happiness.

What Stood Out in Pizza Roles

Theme and Humor

Pizza Roles nails its theme. It hilariously captures the awkwardness of trying to appease a group while hiding your true preferences. The Conversation cards, with phrases like “How about…” and “But what do you want?” feel pulled straight from a group text about dinner plans.

Accessibility

The rules are simple enough for casual players to pick up quickly but nuanced enough to keep more experienced gamers engaged. The 10-minute playtime makes it perfect as a warm-up or cooldown game for game nights.

The rivalry between players

Hidden role games often succeed by fostering table talk, and Pizza Roles is no exception. Every action feels meaningful, whether it’s a bluff to mislead others or a calculated play to maximize your points. The option to flip toppings and manage “extra” points adds a satisfying layer of strategy.

Final Thoughts

Pizza Roles achieves a rare feat: it is light, quick, and accessible yet brimming with strategic possibilities. Having played it multiple times with different groups, we’ve found that even our non-gamer friends who usually shy away from hidden role games get instantly hooked by its relatable theme and clever mechanics.

The unique roles ensure every game feels distinct, and the Cooperative Mode offers an additional layer of challenge for those seeking it. The familiar awkwardness of wanting pepperoni but not wanting to upset your vegetarian friend is brilliantly translated into gameplay mechanics. Whether you’re a fan of deduction games or just love pizza, this game is bound to be a hit at your table.

Pro tip: We highly recommend ordering a real pizza while playing; you can always use the game’s outcome to settle any topping disputes!

If you enjoy this style of social deduction game, we’d strongly recommend checking out Feed the Kraken, another brilliant hidden role game that takes the concept to the high seas with a similar blend of deception and cooperation. While Pizza Roles focuses on the microcosm of pizza ordering, Feed the Kraken expands the concept into a full nautical adventure.

For anyone seeking a “filler” game that punches well above its weight class, Pizza Roles is an essential addition to your collection. It’s become our go-to opener for game nights, perfectly setting the tone for an evening of fun. Just remember to bring your appetite and your best poker face and keep your local pizzeria on speed dial, you’ll need it!

The post Pizza Roles Board Game Review – A Slice of Social Deduction! appeared first on Board Games Land.

Playable in solo mode or with up to four players, this review delves into every facet of the game, from components to gameplay mechanics, and incorporates insights from multiple playthroughs with different groups to provide a comprehensive evaluation.

Components

Despite its small size, Tiny Epic Dinosaurs is packed with high-quality components that significantly enhance the gaming experience. The game consists of cards, meeples, tokens, action mats and dice. Here is a detailed breakdown :

• 30 Research Cards: These cards provide unique abilities and end-game bonuses.
• 28 Public Contract Cards: Contracts that players compete to fulfill for points.
• 8 Private Contract Cards: Secret objectives that add strategic depth.
• Notable Cards: Including EGG Incubator, Resource Converter, Rancher Biometrics, Security Force, Enclosure Upgrades, Laboratory Upgrade, Adreno-Injectors, Breeding Center, University Sponsor, Dino Food Additives, Super Food Research, Carnivore DNA-Log, Herbivore Hemo-Log, Maximum Habitat.
• 16 Ranchers in 4 Player Colors: Each player gets four ranchers (including 1 Lead Rancher).
• 5 Types of Dinosaur Meeples: Stegosaurus, Velociraptor, Brachiosaurus, Allosaurus.
• Barriers and Resource Tokens: For Plants, Meat, and Supplies.
• Player Mats and Action Mats: Double-sided for varied gameplay.
• Wrangler Die: Adds an element of chance when acquiring dinosaurs.

The components are thoughtfully designed to engage players in the theme of dinosaur ranching. The dinosaur meeples are delightful and add a tactile charm to the game. Each component serves a functional purpose while enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal.

Tiny Epic Dinosaurs Setup

Setting up Tiny Epic Dinosaurs is straightforward but requires careful attention to detail to ensure a smooth start. Here’s a step-by-step guide.

Step 1: Setting Up the Action Mats

The Action Mats are a crucial part of Tiny Epic Dinosaurs, providing various actions that players can take by placing their Ranchers. Here’s how to set them up and an overview of their layout:

Step 2: Placement of Action Mats

1. Arrange the Action Mats: Place the four Action Mats in a row in the middle of the table in alphabetical order from ‘A’ to ‘D.’ These mats are double-sided, so select the side that corresponds to the number of players (noted at the top left of each mat).
2. Position the Round Mat: Place the Round Mat to the left of the row of Action Mats. Position the Round Marker (a coffee cup) on the “1” space of the round track.
3. Set Up Contract and Research Cards: Place the Contract Mat above Action Mat A and shuffle and place Public and Private Contract cards on their designated spaces. Below Action Mat D, place the Research Mat and shuffle and deal three Research Cards face-up.
4. Phases and Medical Leave: On the left side of Action Mat A, you’ll find a list of phases (Resource Collection, Assign Ranchers, Retrieve Ranchers, Arrange Ranch, Feed Dinosaurs, Breed Dinosaurs). The Medical Leave section is also here for Ranchers sent to Medical Leave.

Step 3: Setting Up Player Components

Each player will receive a set of components to manage their ranch effectively. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what each player gets and how to set up their personal play area:

Ranch Mat and Player Mat

1 Ranch Mat and 1 Player Mat:

• Ranch Mat: Choose which side of the Ranch Mat you want to use (each side may offer different layouts or challenges). Place it in front of you.
• Player Mat: Place the Player Mat next to your Ranch Mat. This mat will help you track resources, Ranchers, and other key elements of the game.

Ranchers

4 Ranchers and 1 Lead Rancher in their chosen color:

• Placement: Place 4 Ranchers onto their designated spots on the Player Mat in the Ranchers area.
• Round Tracker: Place the final Rancher on the “4” space of the Round Mat’s track labeled “Gain a New Rancher….” This indicates that you will gain an additional Rancher in Round 4.

Resource Markers

1 Plant Marker (green leaf), 1 Meat Marker (red meat), and 1 Supply Marker (blue crate):

• Placement: Place these markers to the left of your Player Mat’s resource track. These markers will help you keep track of your available resources.
• Starting Value: When a marker is off the mat, its value is “0.” As you collect resources during gameplay, move these markers up the track accordingly.

Step 4: Set Up Contract Cards

Place the Contract Mat above the Action Mats. Separate Public Contract Cards and Private Contract Cards into their own decks based on their card backs:

• Shuffle and place the Public Contract Deck face-down on the “Public Contracts” space on the Contract Mat—deal cards from this deck into a face-up row equaling the number of players plus one.
• Shuffle and deal 2 Private Contract Cards face-down to each player. Players select one Private Contract to keep and return the other to the deck. Reshuffle this deck and place it face-down in its designated space.

Step 5: Set Up Research Cards

Place the Research Mat below the Action Mats. Shuffle all Research Cards into a face-down deck in its designated space on the Research Mat. Deal three cards face-up into a row next to this deck.

Step 6: Prepare Dinosaur Meeples and Barriers

Sort all Dinosaur meeples by color (Stegosaurus – green, Velociraptor – blue, Brachiosaurus – yellow, Allosaurus – red) and place them within easy reach of all players. Also, place Barriers nearby. Position the Wrangler Die near Action Mat “A.”

Step 7: Determine First Player

Give the First Player Marker to whoever last visited a natural history museum, or determine the first player using another method you prefer. In addition, give starting bonuses to other players clockwise from the first player:

• The second player places their Plant Marker on “1.”
• The third player places their Meat Marker on “1.”
• The fourth player places their Supply Marker on “1.”

With setup complete, you’re ready to play Tiny Epic Dinosaurs.

Tiny Epic Dinosaurs Gameplay Overview

Tiny Epic Dinosaurs is played over six rounds, each divided into seven phases: Resource Collection, Assign Ranchers, Retrieve Ranchers, Arrange Ranch, Feed Dinosaurs, Breed Dinosaurs, and Refresh for Next Round. The objective is accumulating victory points by efficiently managing resources and strategically placing ranchers.

Phases Breakdown

1. Resource Collection: Players gather resources based on uncovered symbols in their ranches. This phase sets up subsequent actions.
2. Assign Ranchers: In turn, players place their ranchers in action spaces to perform tasks such as acquiring dinosaurs from the wild or market, fulfilling contracts for points, building barriers for enclosures, or conducting research for special abilities.
3. Retrieve Ranchers: All ranchers are retrieved from action spaces and returned to player mats.
4. Arrange Ranch: Players organize their ranches by correctly placing acquired dinosaurs and barriers, ensuring secure enclosures prevent escapes.
5. Feed Dinosaurs: Each dinosaur must be fed according to its dietary needs (herbivores require plants, carnivores require meat). Unfed dinosaurs escape, causing penalties.
6. Breed Dinosaurs: Dinosaurs breed if there are two of the same species in an enclosure; newborns must be placed immediately, or they escape.
7. Refresh for Next Round: A new contract and research cards are drawn, and the round marker advances, ensuring new opportunities/challenges each round.

Detailed Component Breakdown

Let’s take a closer look at some of the game’s key components:

Research Cards

Research cards come in two types: Science and Genetics. Science cards provide ongoing benefits and one-time effects, turning the tide in favor during critical moments. Genetic cards grant unique dinosaurs with special abilities. For example:

• Adreno-Injectors: After placing all your ranchers, you may pay one resource to move one of them to different empty action spaces and take action.
• Breeding Center: If you have only a single regular dinosaur species, you may pay 1 add newborn dinosaur species to your ranch. Newborns cannot breed around when they are born.

These cards introduce a variety of strategies, ensuring all games play precisely the same.

Public & Private Contracts

Contracts form a backbone scoring system. Timing, crucial to fulfilling them efficiently, often determines the winner. Public contracts are made visible to everyone, creating a competitive dynamic, whereas private contracts have hidden objectives, adding a layer of secrecy and intrigue. Examples include:

• Public Contract – Triceratops: At the end game, gain additional points for each dinosaur orthogonally adjacent to Triceratops’ space.
• Private Contract – Maximum Habitat: At the end of the game, gain a point for every two dinosaurs on your ranch.

Balancing public and private contracts is essential to maximizing score.

Dinosaur Meeples & Barriers

Dinosaur meeples highlight the component design. Five types are represented: Stegosaurus, Velociraptor, Brachiosaurus, Allosaurus, and Ankylosaurus. Each type is distinct and visually functional, adding tactile enjoyment to handling pieces. Barriers create enclosures critical to preventing escapes and facilitating breeding phases. Properly managing space within constraints is key to successful gameplay.

How Can You Master the Breeding Process in Tiny Epic Dinosaurs

1. Same Species: To breed, you must have two regular dinosaurs of the same species. Different species cannot breed with each other.
2. Enclosures: The breeding dinosaurs must be in the same enclosure. An enclosure is defined as a space surrounded on all sides by barriers, mountains, or water. Each enclosure can hold multiple dinosaurs of a single species, with one dinosaur per space.
3. Fed Dinosaurs: Only fed dinosaurs can breed. If a dinosaur was not fed during the Feed Dinosaurs phase, it cannot participate in breeding.

Breeding Process

1. Check for Pairs: For every two regular dinosaurs of the same species in an enclosure, you gain one newborn dinosaur of that species. For example, if you have three Stegosauruses in an enclosure, only one pair will breed, resulting in one newborn Stegosaurus.
2. Place Newborns: Newborn dinosaurs must be placed immediately into your ranch. They need to be placed in an enclosure but do not have to be with their “parents.” If there is no room in any enclosure for the newborn dinosaur, it escapes immediately.
3. No Breeding for Newborns: Newborn dinosaurs cannot breed in the round they are born.

Special Considerations

• Limited Supply: If there are not enough dinosaur tokens of a particular species available in the supply, you cannot take more of that dinosaur. If multiple players are eligible for new dinosaurs but the supply is limited, each player takes one at a time in turn order starting with the first player until they are gone.
• Unique Dinosaurs: Unique dinosaurs gained through research cards usually cannot breed and do not need to be placed in enclosures.

Playthrough Experience

During our playthroughs with various groups ranging from experienced gamers to newcomers, we found Tiny Epic Dinosaurs engaging and accessible. Here’s a recount of one particularly memorable session:

In one game session, four players—each experienced different genres of board games—began setting up our ranch mix of herbivores and carnivores. The first round saw us scrambling resources trying to secure key action spaces. One player focused heavily on acquiring research cards, providing powerful abilities like preventing escapes and converting resources more efficiently. By mid-game competition, public contracts became fierce, and players tried to fulfill them before others could snatch them away. Tension is palpable with each move, potentially blocking another player’s strategy.

One player managed to secure Tyrannosaurus Rex through a private contract and struggled to keep it fed without sacrificing other valuable dinosaurs. In the final rounds, our ranches were bustling with activity. Strategic placement barriers ensured most dinosaurs were safely enclosed. The breeding phase saw a surge in newborns, which required careful placement to avoid escapes. Final scoring tight points coming fulfilled contracts research cards providing end-game bonuses (like having most carnivores) number dinosaurs successfully kept our ranches.

Tiny Epic Dinosaurs Solo Play Mode

For those who enjoy solo gaming experiences, Tiny Epic Dinosaurs includes a well-designed solo mode where players compete against Rival Rancher-controlled deck Rival Rancher Cards. This mode adds unique challenges. Rival performs actions based on card draws rather than strategic decisions made by human opponents. Solo play retains the core mechanics of the multiplayer version, ensuring a consistent experience across different formats.

Strategic Insights

Based on our extensive playtesting, here are some strategic insights tips to improve performance:

• Plan: Anticipate future needs, especially regarding resource management feeding phases. Shortages lead to costly escape penalties disrupting plans.

• Adapt Opponents: Monitor closely and adapt accordingly. Blocking critical actions secures valuable pivotal spots and turns the tides in favor.

• Maximize Research Benefits: Utilize effectively leveraging abilities provided science genetic cards optimize efficiency throughout rounds.

• Balance Immediate Long-Term Goals: While fulfilling immediate objectives is essential, keep sight of long-term strategies, particularly regarding breeding expanding operations.

Replayability in Tiny Epic Dinosaurs

Replayability is high thanks to a variety of elements, including diverse research cards, different contract combinations, and varying group dynamics. No two sessions feel identical, ensuring continued interest and excitement in multiple plays. Additionally, simple yet profound mechanics make it accessible to newcomers, rewarding experienced gamers alike and contributing to longevity shelf life collection.

Tiny Epic Dinosaurs Conclusion

Tiny Epic Dinosaurs is a stellar addition to any board game collection, combining strategic depth and thematic richness in a compact package that is easy to learn yet challenging to master. Whether you are a fan of dinosaur-themed games who enjoys worker placement mechanics or resource management twists, this game offers something everyone needs. Our multiple playthroughs consistently delivered engaging experiences filled with tense decision-making, satisfying moments, and clever tactical plays. Tiny Epic Dinosaurs stands out within the Tiny Epic series and among modern board games. The exemplary title brings epic fun to tiny boxes. If you are looking for a game that packs a punch without taking much space on a shelf table, Tiny Epic Dinosaurs is an excellent choice that provides countless hours of enjoyment for both casual gamers and strategists alike.

The post Tiny Epic Dinosaurs Review – An Exciting Dino Ranching Adventure appeared first on Board Games Land.

We first saw this gem at Essen Spiel 2024, and it instantly grabbed our attention. The bustling crowd around the Fantasia Games booth was a testament to this release’s excitement. As soon as we saw the intricate components and surreal artwork, we knew we had to get our hands on it.

Developed by Fantasia Games, a publisher renowned for their innovative and visually stunning board games, Unconscious Mind offers players a chance to experience the birth of modern psychology in a setting that is as thought-provoking as it is surreal. With Sigmund Freud and his circle serving as the theme’s backdrop, the game weaves history and fantasy elements into its intricate mechanics.

In this profoundly thematic Euro-style board game, we were balancing the demanding roles of treating patients, publishing treatises, and building reputations as leading psychologists. Its design, helmed by a talented team of developers, is a masterclass blending narrative and strategy. With mechanics like worker placement, engine building, multiple rondels, and cascading effects, the game’s structure mirrors the layered complexity of the human psyche it explores.

The collaboration between its designers and publishers has resulted in a game that challenges your mind and throws you into a fantastical interpretation of a pivotal moment in psychological history. We were hooked from the moment we first saw it at Essen, and our subsequent plays have only deepened our appreciation for this unique gaming experience.

Components

The game’s production quality stood out when we opened the box. The surreal dream cards, the tactile transparent client overlays, and the finely crafted components throw you in the psychoanalytic world. Each piece from the coffee tokens to the inkpot rondels feels deliberate and ties back to the theme. The artwork, evoking Vienna’s psychological and artistic renaissance, draws you deeper into the story of Freud’s Wednesday Psychological Society. Here’s a little peek at what the board game comes with:

Also, something that we can mention is how good the quality of the packaging itself is, we’ve reviewed a lot of board games but very rarely get this premium package, from the sealed plastic bags to the plastic boxes. But there’s one thing that we will tell you before starting to read this section – Buckle up because it is filled with unique and exciting components.

Meeting Table Board

The game’s centerpiece is that this board dictates the flow of player actions. Its structured Idea spaces and action zone grid sets up a balanced tactical challenge. Strategically placing Ideas here feels like solving a complex riddle while actively engaging in therapy sessions. The dual-use action spaces, allowing for repeated effects with careful planning, ensure every decision feels significant. Visually, the pastel tones and clever layout make it a joy to interact with.

City Map Board

The City Map feels alive with its depiction of early 1900s Vienna. Divided into districts, each with unique bonuses, it invites players to send their professors or Freud himself wandering through its iconic locations like the University or the Opera. Mechanically, it rewards long-term planning with its district and location bonuses while pulling you into the cultural heart of psychoanalytic exploration. The miniatures of Freud and the Professors give this map a charming physicality, though the map’s small size relative to its functional depth can feel cramped during busy rounds.

Player Boards

Each player board serves as your personalized psychoanalytic hub, blending function with thematic depth. At its core is the Insight Dial, a tactile mechanism that lets you manage Growth, Freedom, and Passion Insights. Advancing these resources feels intuitive and strategic, as they are essential for interpreting dreams and treating clients.

The board’s recessed edges ensure everything stays securely in place, from your Insight Dial to the Notebook Tiles, which power your engine-building efforts. Completing rows and columns of Notebook Tiles triggers satisfying chain reactions, especially when combined with the Inkpot Rondel, which tracks progress and activates cascading effects across your board. These mechanics reward forward-thinking, making each turn impactful.

From organizing Idea tokens to maximizing Heart-Shaped Boxes and Coffee, the player boards streamline gameplay while reinforcing the theme of crafting your psychoanalytic legacy. Every action feels like a step closer to mastering the unconscious mind.

Insight Dial

The Insight Dial, representing your grasp of psychoanalytic theory, allows for the generation, elevation, suppression, and transfer of Insights. Generating Insights requires resources in the center reserve, and suppressing Insights allows inward movement to trigger cascading effects. Careful planning to match Insights with requirements for treating clients and advancing personal goals is vital. Beginners may find the options overwhelming, but the dial’s tactile nature adds to the game’s strategic depth.

Client Cards and Grief Layers

The heart of the game lies in treating complex, historically inspired clients (Routine & Case-Study). These can range from fictional characters to reimagined versions of real historical figures from Freud’s era. Each client card features unique characteristics, initial therapy points, and potential bonuses. The translucent Grief Layers overlaying the client cards add a visual and mechanical twist as we peel back their trauma to unlock ongoing effects or end-game scoring opportunities. Removing each layer feels like a victory, both narratively and in points. Some clients offer immediate benefits, while others provide long-term strategies or end-game scoring conditions. Balancing the therapeutic process against competing priorities keeps the tension high, making these cards the emotional and strategic crux of gameplay.

Dream Cards (Latent and Manifest)

The dual-layered dreams represent your journey into the unconscious, where the artwork truly shines. The cards are a visual feast, from subdued blues for Latent Dreams to vibrant colors for Manifest Dreams. Mechanically, layering dreams create a multi-step puzzle as you manage the resources (Insights) required to treat clients effectively. Matching dream and grief icons for bonuses adds yet another satisfying wrinkle.

Notebook Tiles

There are 60 Notebook Tiles (24 Level I; 24 Level II; 12 starting). Notebook Tiles are crucial to engine building, unlocking chain reactions when placed strategically. Each tile has dual effects, and filling rows or columns allows you to unlock additional Insights. Specific spaces on the player board require cured clients to be eligible for placement, adding another layer of planning to optimize tile usage. Completing rows and columns provides powerful advantages, making this aspect a gameplay highlight.

Miniatures: Freud and Professors

Freud’s figure serves as a game-end timer and actively participates in the City Map’s strategic dance. Professors are similarly engaging, hopping from location to location. The miniatures are detailed and satisfying to move but sometimes feel slightly disproportionate to the tightly packed board layouts.

Heart-Shaped Box and Coffee Tokens

These tokens, both thematic and mechanical, keep the game grounded in its psychological setting. Heart-shaped boxes represent emotional breakthroughs, converting excess resources into therapy points. Meanwhile, Coffee tokens offer flexibility, acting as an energy boost for critical moments. Their dual-purpose use within actions or for scoring adds delightful decision-making pressure.

Research Cards

Publishing treatises is one of the game’s most rewarding tasks, and at the heart of this process are the Research cards. These multi-functional components are resources for completing treatises and sources of ongoing bonuses. As we played, we constantly strategized how best to utilize these cards. Their dual-purpose nature adds a layer of decision-making that we found particularly engaging. Do you use a card for its immediate benefit or hold onto it for a potentially more lucrative treatise later?

We especially appreciated how the Research cards create a sense of academic progress throughout the game. Collecting and playing these cards felt like building a body of knowledge, mirroring the real-world process of psychological research. The ongoing bonuses provided by some Research cards allowed for interesting engine-building possibilities, as we found ourselves tailoring our strategies around the specific benefits we’d accumulated. The mechanic of citing another player’s published work to complete your own treatise adds a unique interaction element, bringing a welcome touch of player interaction to what could otherwise feel like a solitary optimization puzzle.

Bright Idea Tokens

Bright Ideas are small but impactful tokens that serve as versatile wildcards. They can substitute for Ideas on the Meeting Table, modify Inkpot movement, and boost Location effects on the City Map. Each token adds depth to decision-making, offering additional opportunities to trigger effects during critical turns. They can be spent for maximum utility in tight situations, with each leftover Bright Idea scoring Victory Points during endgame scoring.

Reputation Markers and Scoring Markers

Reputation and Scoring markers provide a clear framework for tracking progress and competition. Reputation markers advancing along the central track pace the game and deliver critical bonuses that can turn the tide of play. Scoring markers and circling the edge of the City Map keep everyone invested in the race for Victory Points. Though simple in design, these components heightened the competitive atmosphere, especially in the final rounds when every point felt earned.

Treatise Tiles and District Tokens

Treatise tiles and District tokens introduce long-term goals and strategic decisions. Publishing Treatises provides substantial points and rewards for specialization, while District tokens create a dynamic struggle for control on the City Map. The combination of these mechanics added layers of interaction as players jockeyed for position to secure bonuses and endgame advantages. Their bold designs made them easy to identify and integrate into our strategies.

Reference Aids

A practical and well-organized tool for quickly recalling rules and iconography, these aids were a godsend, especially in our first few games. They ensured smooth gameplay while diving into the game’s complex systems.

Components in Solo Mode

Special mention goes to the thoughtfully crafted solo mode, which uses the “Id” AI opponent. Its streamlined actions ensure an engaging challenge without bogging down the pace. Using the Journalist and Fireworks standees in this mode adds variety and flavor.

The Setup – A Beautifully Constructed World

Before we say anything, unconscious mind has a very big setup, so before buying the board game consider checking if you have enough space on the table.

Setting up the game was an event in itself, as we arranged the pieces, we couldn’t help but feel like we were recreating one of those famous salon gatherings in a Viennese coffee house, where intellectuals would debate the latest theories over steaming cups of Melange. With multiple layers of components and a sprawling tableau, it’s a table hog that demands ample space and attention. The Meeting Table board, City Map, and personal player boards create a dense but visually appealing layout, blending functionality with thematic flair.

We begin by preparing the City Map Board as the table’s centerpiece. Start by sorting the District tokens by color and placing them on their respective spots across the map. The Reputation Marker is placed on the first space of the Reputation Track, marking the shared progression of Freud’s influence. Next, the Freud figure is randomly assigned to a location using one of the Location Goal Tiles, which adds variability to each game. It’s always fun to see where Freud starts his journey, it almost feels like setting the stage for a psychological drama.

Once the map is ready, we populate the Meeting Table Board. This is where the action happens. You’ll reduce Idea spaces depending on the player count (removing two spaces for two-player games, for instance) and fill the remaining slots with Idea tokens. Shuffle and place the Notebook Tiles along the board’s banner slots, carefully matching their labeled positions. The Notebook Tiles offer a wealth of opportunities, so seeing them laid out is a tantalizing preview of the strategies ahead.

Next up are the various decks of cards. Shuffle the Case Study and Routine Client Cards the place them nearby and reveal two of each, then place the Grief Layer decks next to them and place 1 grief layer on top of every client revealed (4 total). The Dream Decks—Manifest and Latent—are also shuffled and placed next to them, then reveal 4 manifest cards, ready to provide their dreamlike puzzles.

Note: If you question why the routine and case-study clients look weird in this image, it is because they have grief layers over them (part of the game setup).

The Research Cards and Treatise Tiles are set up in their respective slots, ensuring all players have access to critical game objectives and scoring avenues. Finally, distribute the Bright Idea Tokens in a central pile so everyone can grab them when inspiration strikes.

Player Setup

As we mentioned in the beginning of the setup section, keep in mind that the setup is quite big, especially the player board considering that there are almost two boards as you can say.

Each player receives their Player Board and corresponding components: an Insight Dial, starting Idea tokens, Heart-Shaped Boxes, and Coffee Markers. Players also place their scoring marker on the Victory Point Track and their Professor figure on the map. The final step is selecting starting cards from the Latent Dream and Routine Client decks, laying the groundwork for individual strategies.

While the setup may take some time, it’s a rewarding experience as the game’s intricate mechanics come into view. Each element serves a purpose, hinting at the depth of gameplay to come. By the end, the table becomes a masterpiece of strategy and storytelling, ready for players to dive into Freud’s Vienna and unravel the mysteries of the unconscious mind. And yes, while setting it up might take longer than your morning coffee, it’s well worth the effort once the gears start turning. By the end of the setup, your table should look like this:

Well not like this considering that the upper player boards barely have any space, but you get the point.

Gameplay Mechanics: A Symphony of Complexity

As we dove into Unconscious Mind, we quickly realized we were in for a treat. The game offers a deeply intricate gameplay experience, with mechanics that intertwine in fascinating ways to illuminate the theme of early 20th-century psychoanalysis. At first, it felt like we were trying to juggle while riding a unicycle, but the core actions became second nature as we got into the rhythm.

State Ideas: The Art of Mental Chess

This action became our bread and butter, the Meeting Table is a battleground for tactical choices, as placing Ideas unlocks actions. Players can amplify their turn when Ideas are paired with Bright Ideas by triggering action spaces multiple times. However, placement is limited by the availability of spaces, encouraging foresight. The Meeting Table’s structure ensures every turn feels meaningful, with the Inkpot adding another layer of complexity by dictating cascading effects based on its movement. We remember one particularly satisfying turn where one of us aligned our Ideas perfectly, triggering a fall of the impact that had the rest of us groaning in envy.

For example, we carefully aligned our ideas with that space when we wanted to gain a research card. Adding a Bright Idea token allowed us to activate the action twice in one turn. The flexibility allowed for satisfying combos, especially as we manipulated our player boards to unlock stronger effects. Moving the Inkpot along its track added another layer of strategy. It was like creating a little symphony of productivity with every turn!

This action was extremely rewarding, though we’ll admit there were moments when we stared at the board for what felt like ages, trying to optimize our move. The combination of spatial planning, resource generation, and engine-building moments gave us a sense of accomplishment. Even a single turn felt impactful, though it occasionally led to moments of analysis paralysis that had our resident timekeeper tapping his watch.

Recharging Your Cognitive Arsenal – Recall Ideas

Recalling Ideas is more than a reset, it’s a move to gain Coffee and claim bonuses on the City Map. Each Recall action earns Coffee equal to the number of spaces on the Meeting Table. Players can then use Location or District bonuses, which may require player-colored Insights for District actions. These bonuses can unlock powerful effects like Reputation gains, adding dynamic elements to this phase.

After recalling Ideas, we enjoyed the added bonus of claiming Location or District bonuses from the City Map. It often felt like a mini game within the larger framework as we jockeyed for position to claim the best spots. This action gave us a nice breather from heavy planning and let us rethink our priorities.

Recalling Ideas struck an outstanding balance between utility and timing. While less flashy than other actions, it proved crucial to keeping our momentum in check. It became a strategic pivot point, often signaling a shift in our game plans.

Treat Clients: Peeling Back the Layers of the Mind

This game mechanic really showed us what some board games can reach in terms of productivity and theme. The way that you have to heal the clients out of their grief really expressed what the game is on about.

Matching Dream icons with Grief Layers provides extra bonuses, encouraging players to plan their treatments carefully. Therapy markers track progress, and peeling away Grief Layers advances your score and offers ongoing benefits. This aspect perfectly marries gameplay with the psychoanalytic theme, providing both strategic and narrative satisfaction.

We’ll remember the satisfaction of finally unlocking a particularly stubborn client’s Catharsis moment. As we discarded their Grief Layer and activated their ongoing abilities, we all felt a genuine sense of accomplishment, as if we’d actually helped someone overcome their trauma. It was a small but meaningful victory or each time.

This mechanic felt incredibly beautifully awakened the theme of the board game, perfectly balancing strategy and satisfaction. Timing our treatments to maximize their effects while managing limited Insights was both a challenge and a joy. We were genuinely invested in our clients’ progress, often cheering each other on as breakthroughs were made.

Movement on the City Map

Moving Freud and Professors on the City Map offers tactical opportunities to trigger Location effects. These effects can be activated based on the number of figures present or the tags accumulated through gameplay. Bright Ideas can further enhance these effects, adding flexibility. The map is a hive of activity, balancing immediate rewards with long-term strategy.

We particularly enjoyed sending our Professors to the University, generating Insights, and drawing Research cards like true academics. Meanwhile, Freud’s presence added another layer of benefits that had us all vying for his attention. The movement felt strategic, especially when paired with the Bright Ideas mechanic to maximize the number of triggers.

The Race for Psychoanalytic Supremacy – Reputation and Endgame Trigger

The Reputation track serves as both a timer and a key strategic focus. Advancing Freud’s marker triggers the endgame and provides bonuses along the way. Players must carefully balance Reputation actions with other objectives, as they can significantly impact final scoring.

In our games, the race for the highest Reputation became a game within the game, with the endgame bonuses adding another layer of competition. It was not uncommon to hear a triumphant or a disappointed groan as final Reputation totals were tallied.

Overall, the intricacy of Unconscious Mind’s mechanics created a deeply engaging experience that had us eagerly planning our next session even as we packed up the game. While the learning curve was steep, mastering these interconnected systems felt incredibly rewarding.

How Well Does the Game Capture Freud’s Vienna?

The elements of the theme are flawlessly put into the gameplay. Treating clients feels like engaging in real therapeutic processes: gathering resources, interpreting dreams, and unlocking catharsis. The transparent overlays for grief and dream layers are not just a visual novelty but also a mechanical representation of peeling back the layers of the unconscious mind, we found ourselves mimicking Freud’s famous ‘talking cure,’ coaxing out hidden traumas and repressed memories from our cardboard patients with each carefully placed worker.

Publishing treatises, an action tied to the game’s engine-building aspect, adds a competitive edge. It reflects the academic rivalry of Freud’s circle, as players race to publish and cite each other’s work for additional points. This aspect introduced light player interaction, a welcome touch in an otherwise solitary optimization puzzle.

How Does Unconscious Mind Fare with Different Player Counts?

Across multiple playtests Unconscious Mind revealed its versatility with different player counts, but keep in mind that the setup of unconscious mind is very big as we said before, so you do need a larger table, especially when there are four players. The game became a bustling yet contemplative affair with four players as we juggled overlapping objectives on the Meeting Table and City Map. The pacing felt tighter and more strategic at three players, with more explicit opportunities to react to opponents’ moves. The solo mode, using the automated “Id,” provided a surprisingly challenging experience, emulating a competitive second player with its own objectives and actions.

Replayability comes from the vast array of components clients, dream cards, and treatises ensure no two setups are alike. However, the game’s learning curve means new players may need multiple sessions to grasp the strategies available. The dense ruleset, while rewarding, might deter casual players, making it best suited for groups who enjoy heavy euros.

Solo Gameplay: Facing the Id

The solo mode pits you against the Id, an automated opponent that uses a streamlined deck to mimic player actions. The Id automation mirrors player actions through Coffee and Heart-Shaped Boxes, creating a competitive challenge. Its efficient use of resources and streamlined decision-making effectively emulate human opponents. It’s an excellent way to explore strategies or enjoy the game when your group isn’t available.

What We Like and What We Don’t

What we like about Unconscious Mind

• Theme: Unconscious Mind masterfully captures the essence of psychoanalysis through its mechanics and components.
• The strategy behind this game: The interplay of rondels, resource management, and tableau building offers countless avenues for strategic exploration.
• Production Quality: From the surreal artwork to the transparent overlays, every detail enhances the tactile and visual experience.
• Historical Flavor: The game’s setting in early 20th-century Vienna and its nods to actual historical figures add an educational element to the game itself.

What we don’t like about Unconscious Mind

• Overwhelming Complexity: The abundance of interconnected mechanics might feel daunting for first-time players. So, try something lighter before this.
• Solo Nature: Despite some player interaction through treatises and districts, much of the game feels like a solitary optimization puzzle.
• Game Length: With a runtime exceeding two hours, it can feel protracted, especially for groups prone to analysis paralysis.
• The Rulebook Labyrinth: Learning this game felt like navigating Freud’s ego, id, and superego all at once. A more intuitive layout would’ve saved us some headaches.
• The space of the board game: We know that we mentioned it a lot, but we had some difficulties trying to fit the 4-player setup in one table.

Final Thoughts: A Journey Through the Psyche

After several intense sessions with Unconscious Mind, we’re still fascinated by its intricacies. We first encountered this creation by Alexander Pfister and Dennis Rappel at Essen Spiel 2024, and it’s been a cerebral expedition that’s left a lasting impression on our gaming group.

We’ve found that Pfister’s signature multi-use cards and interconnected systems reach new heights here, brilliantly serving the psychoanalytic theme. The game’s ability to be both deeply strategic and thematically immersive is its strongest suit, in our opinion. We’re in awe of the production quality, especially Ian O’Toole’s art direction. Those surrealist dream cards had us debating their meanings long after we’d packed up the game.

However, we must admit the learning curve is steeper than even some of Pfister’s previous works we’ve played. Our first playthrough was a marathon of rulebook consultations. Yet, this complexity fits, given the intricacy of the human mind itself. We’ve been particularly impressed with the solo mode, designed by Dávid Turczi. It offers a challenging experience that captures the multiplayer essence.

If you enjoy games that reward repeated plays and deep strategic thinking, Unconscious Mind will be right up your alley. It reminds us of brain-burners like On Mars or Anachrony but with a distinct Pfister twist.

One small critique we have is that the endgame scoring can feel anticlimactic compared to the rich narrative we built throughout the game.

Despite this, we agree that Unconscious Mind isn’t just a game; it’s an experience. We’ve found it intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant, making us feel like we’re engaging in ludic psychoanalysis.

If you’re willing to invest the time and mental energy, it offers a rich, rewarding experience that few other games can match. Just be prepared that once you start peeling back the layers of Unconscious Mind, you might find it hard to stop. And isn’t that what Freud was all about in the end? Every playthrough feels like an intellectual and artistic journey worth taking.

The post Unconscious Mind Board Game Review – Masters of the Subconscious Realm appeared first on Board Games Land.

Drawing inspiration from historical elements of the ancient city of Resafa, the game masterfully blends mechanics like hand management, network building, and multi-use cards, creating a deeply engaging and strategic experience. Published by Delicious Games, Resafa transports us to a time when this vital stop along the caravan routes served as a crossroads of civilization, its massive cisterns and sophisticated water management systems sustaining life in the harsh Syrian desert. The elegant design work of Vladimír Suchý shines through in how the game mechanisms mirror historical realities – from the careful management of water resources to the strategic positioning of workshops and gardens.

After dozens of plays, we’re still discovering new strategic depths in this fascinating recreation of merchant life in ancient Syria, where every decision feels weighted with historical significance.

First Impressions

The visual design of Resafa captures the desert’s stark beauty and the region’s architectural heritage – from the weathered sandstone archways to the remnants of Roman-era cisterns that once sustained life in this unforgiving landscape. The components: workshop tiles, camel figures, and the central board are detailed and functional, putting players into their roles as merchants who must carefully manage their hand of action cards while navigating the desert economy. Having eagerly followed the game’s development since its first announcement at Essen Spiel, we were excited to get our hands on the finished product finally.

The setup requires attention, as the interplay of workshop and canal placements with trading tiles ensures every decision has weight in this intricate dance of resource management and card play. Our gaming group, usually skeptical of historical themes being pasted onto mechanical frameworks, was pleasantly surprised by how naturally the game’s economic systems and card-driven actions flow from its setting, creating an experience where every coin spent and card played feels thematically appropriate.

Components

The first time we unboxed Resafa, the quality of the components immediately stood out – particularly the wonderfully tactile camel meeples that we couldn’t stop fidgeting with during our initial rules explanation. Here’s a breakdown of the components and how they contribute to the gameplay, sprinkled with our thoughts after hours of trading, building, and scheming in the desert.

The Main Board

The game board serves as your window into ancient Syria, cleverly designed with two faces – one for the intimate dance of 1-2 players, another for the bustling bazaar of 3-4 merchants. It’s where you’ll find everything from the water network grid to the special card tracks, all thoughtfully arranged like a well-planned desert city.

Player Boards

The game contains 4 player boards. Each player commands their own slice of Resafa through their player board, complete with a camel track that measures your trading capacity. Think of it as your personal ledger, where you’ll track your growing influence and manage your resources. It’s your command center, where every decision about warehouse management and canal construction begins.

Action Cards & Bonus Cards

Then comes the heart of the trade. Picture yourself holding six carefully crafted cards, each presenting two possible actions like a merchant weighing different opportunities. These multi-use cards are the beating heart of Resafa, with each set marked by Greek letters (alpha, beta, gamma, and delta). What makes these fascinating is how each set combines different colors with different actions, ensuring no two merchant strategies feel quite the same. Like a well-planned caravan route, these cards guide every decision you’ll make.

Bonus cards complement this decision-making process by offering quick boosts or discounts when plans go awry. Drawing a bonus card at the right moment is like finding a crumpled $20 in your pocket. Together, these cards create a dynamic rhythm, where every flip and draw shapes your strategy.

Special Cards

The special cards from the color tracks are your hard-earned rewards for advancing strategically. Each track presents players with decisions at every level – do you take the visible top card for an immediate bonus, or do you shuffle and pick from the face-down cards, risking a less optimal reward? These cards unlock powerful abilities, extra actions, or endgame scoring bonuses, and choosing the right track to prioritize can tip the scales in your favor. The feeling of unlocking these cards, especially when you don’t know all the options available keeps players engaged. In one memorable game, advancing on the yellow track early gave us a flexible card and opened up opportunities to chain actions in later rounds. Pro tip: Yellow cards with flexible colors can change the trajectory of your game entirely, believe us.

Building Blocks: Workshop & Garden Tiles

Workshops and gardens form the backbone of your resource economy. The 34 workshop tiles (from starting tiles to advanced Level II workshops) are mini-puzzles, with their diagonal placement mechanic forcing players to think carefully about spatial planning. Meanwhile, the 39 garden tiles (both small and large) connect workshops and amplify their potential, triggering bonuses and VP opportunities. Completing a garden square is like hitting the jackpot in slow motion, while workshop production ensures a steady flow of essential resources. The synergy between these components is the lifeblood of your merchant empire.

Canal Tiles & Water Cubes

The water management system is brought to life through cleverly designed canal tiles and blue wooden water cubes. The canal tiles come with various pathway configurations and some feature water tanks on their reverse side. Each tile clearly displays its cost in the upper-left corner, combining marble and coin requirements. The paths on the tiles create satisfying networks when connected, though it’s worth noting that only vertical connections are mandatory – horizontal ones can remain unconnected, adding an interesting strategic element.

The bright blue water cubes stand out beautifully against the desert-themed board and serve as clear indicators of water flow from their starting positions around the board’s edges. When a canal tile is placed next to a water cube, the cube moves onto the tile, creating a visual representation of water movement that will matter during Rain scoring phases. The quality of these components is excellent, making the physical act of building your water network both intuitive and enjoyable.

Trading Tiles

These represent the various goods available for trade in different cities. The illustrations clearly distinguish between different merchandise types, making it easy to spot opportunities across the board.

Merchant Tokens

Merchant tokens (41), rare yet powerful, elevate this dynamic by enabling advanced actions like constructing Level II workshops or securing prime canal placements. Their dual-purpose design (20 scarab and 21 square tokens) adds historical flair while providing crucial strategic options.

Wooden Components: Camels, Player Markers & Tracks

Including camels for marking your presence in cities, player markers for various tracks, and scoring discs. The camel pieces are particularly charming and add character to the game. While the markers are placed on the player board and on the color track.
While the tracks are placed at the score board.

Sack Cards

These cards are a gamble in the best way possible, granting randomized resources or converting goods for points. Drawing one feels like unwrapping a mystery gift—sometimes you get gold and socks. While not game-breaking, they provide a fun element of surprise and a way to stay competitive when other options dry up.

Resource Tiles

The resource tokens represent 22 stone, 20 marble and 36 Goods tiles (18 spice, 18 amphora). They’re sturdy and well-designed, making resource management feel tactile and satisfying. There also are 28 triple resource and good tiles (7 of each type). And to mention that there are coins, we mean coins are coins…

Setup: Building Your Desert Oasis

Setting up Resafa feels like laying the foundation for a bustling trade empire—it’s detailed but not overwhelming, and the game rewards you with a satisfying tableau once it’s ready.

Start by placing the main board in the center and flipping it to the side that matches your player count. It’s a functional and attractive board with space for everything you’ll need during the game, from the colorful tracks for special cards to the canal grid that will soon become a hotbed of strategic competition. The Rain track prominently sits on the side, reminding you of the impending rewards (or losses) tied to your water network.

Shuffle and distribute the trading tiles face-down across the cities on the map but leave the bottom one of each color face up. This process creates anticipation as you wonder which lucrative goods will surface. The tiles are easy to manage, though keeping them neat avoids early-game chaos. Near your player board set up the canal tiles and place the 9 water cubes on the water source spaces in the water network area (place 8 if there are less than 3 players).

Also place the canal bonus tiles with picking one of the cards for the layout to spice up the game. Having them within easy reach is key, as they’ll come into play frequently, and seeing those water cubes stacked neatly is oddly satisfying—until they start flowing through the canals you’ve built.

Next, arrange the workshop and garden tiles. Separate workshops into Level I and II stacks, but here’s the thing, you need to lay two workshop tiles face up on the slots and a face up workshop tile on top of the deck. Then you need to organize the garden tiles (large and small) for easy access. This part of the setup might feel like sorting puzzle pieces, but it pays off once the game begins. Seeing your options at a glance makes planning your first moves far easier.

Each player takes two workshop tiles and places them facing any direction, but every player needs to place them corner to corner as said above, so later on in the game you can add garden tiles above and beneath them.

Shuffle the special cards for each color track, revealing one Level 1 card on top and stacking the others face-down. This setup introduces mystery and sparks immediate strategy discussions as players weigh the first visible rewards.

Place the bonus cards next to the main board, sort them out, reveal and lay three cards of each color. And for the sack card decks, place them nearby, ready to be drawn for quick boosts or random surprises—these small decks might seem like an afterthought during setup, but they’ll become crucial lifelines during the game.

Each player receives their player board, a set of action cards, and starting resources: coins, stone, and camels. Laying out the camel tokens is always fun—they’re charming little pieces that feel like mascots for your budding empire. Action cards are shuffled, then each player takes three random action cards from the deck, then place the deck anywhere, this is fully explained in the mechanics section, the workshops and resources are neatly arranged to avoid mid-game clutter.

Finally, set the round marker on the Rain track to indicate the game’s start. Remember that Rain scoring occurs at the end of every even round, adding a rhythm to the game that influences when to focus on building your water network. This small touch of timing adds depth to the setup, ensuring that your strategy begins the moment the game does. You’re now ready to start your journey into the desert, with every decision feeling like a step toward building your empire. The image below shows the full setup of the board game:

Gameplay Mechanics

Gameplay Mechanics At the core of Resafa is the ingenious use of action cards. These cards offer two actions per card—primary and secondary—tied to a color-coded system. The flexibility of these multi-use cards forces players to weigh every move carefully.

The Action Card System

Each player begins with six action cards that form their strategy. We’ve found that mastering the timing of these cards is crucial – for each round, you’ll play one card from your hand of three, choose a main action, and trigger a secondary color action, making each action precious. The dual nature of these cards has led to some delightfully agonizing decisions in our games. Do you play that production card for its primary action, or do you need that blue color bonus to advance on the special card track?

Workshop and garden tiles

Workshop construction forms the foundation of your desert mercantile empire, with each workshop contributing to your resource production and point generation, much like the ancient artisans’s quarters that once lined Resafa’s bustling streets. The diagonal placement rule “corner-to-corner” adds a spatial puzzle to the game, requiring you to think ahead about garden connections and optimal resource generation. In one session, we created a chain of workshops producing resources in perfect harmony (our slice of a 3rd-century bazaar), only to realize we neglected the gardens, which cost us key bonuses.

These gardens, historically vital oases that provided respite from the desert heat, are the heart of your workshop synergy. Placing garden tiles between workshops triggers resource bonuses and eventual victory points when you complete garden squares, mirroring how actual desert settlements relied on careful cultivation to thrive. The decision to build small, cost-effective gardens or invest in larger, high-reward tiles adds another layer of strategy. A perfectly timed garden placement triggered a cascade of bonuses in one memorable game, turning an average round into a significant victory point haul. At this moment, they made us feel like master landscapers of antiquity.

Water Canals and Canal Bonus Tiles

The canal system in Resafa is a standout feature that ties everything together. Building canals secures immediate bonuses and plays into the endgame strategy, where water management can significantly impact scoring. To build a water tank, players must complete two garden squares and have at least one trading base in the connected area, adding a layer of challenge and planning. Players must balance short-term gains, like acquiring canal bonus tiles, against the long-term goal of maintaining water flow across the network—much like the ingenious water management systems that allowed ancient desert cities to flourish despite the harsh climate. But keep in mind that to acquare a canal bonus tie you need to have a canal over it, but you must either choose to take the points of placing the canal or geting the canal bonus tile.

During one session, our group witnessed fierce competition over canal placement near a high-value bonus tile. Anticipating this, we maneuvered our camel tokens to a strategic city, leveraging trading profits to fund consecutive canal constructions. The resulting network boosted our mid-game score and positioned us strongly for the final Rain scoring.

Trading and Economic Strategy

Like the merchants of old who traversed the sun-scorched trading routes of Syria, Resafa’s trading system elegantly captures the essence of ancient commerce through a clever mix of resource management and tactical timing.

Your trading operations revolve around a camel caravan that can carry three goods (upgradeable to four) of the same type. Moving between cities costs one coin per road segment, making efficient route planning essential. Each city displays trading tiles with two rates – blue and red – that determine buying and selling prices. These tiles flip after use, changing market conditions and creating a dynamic economy that keeps players on their toes. In one memorable game, we executed what we dubbed the “Spice Road Special” – buying spices cheaply in Resafa and selling them in Gerasa for 5 victory points each plus bonus coins, perfectly capturing the thrill of successful desert trading.

A key strategic element is establishing trading bases in cities where you conduct business. For one stone and one coin, you can place a marker to gain either a square or scarab merchant token – crucial components for unlocking higher-level workshops and determining end-game scoring multipliers. The system also includes bonus rewards for certain trades, offering extra victory points, coins, or special cards that can significantly impact your strategy.

Your player board includes warehouse space for storing goods until market conditions are favorable, but timing these sales requires careful consideration. We have constantly weighed immediate smaller profits against potentially larger future payoffs. The interaction between trading, warehouse management, and base establishment creates a satisfying economic puzzle that rewards both tactical opportunism and long-term planning.

The color actions

Just as ancient merchants had to master multiple trading routes, Resafa’s color action system offers three distinct paths to success through an elegant dual-action card mechanism. Each action card features a blue, yellow, or red stripe, and how you orient your card determines which color action you’ll get alongside your main action. When taking a color action, you face three compelling choices: claim a face-up bonus card of the matching color, advance your marker on that color’s special card track, or draw a sack card for immediate resources. The special card tracks are particularly intriguing – as you advance, you’ll encounter symbols that let you either take the visible top card (gaining 1 VP and 1 coin as a bonus) or search through the stack for any card you want (without the bonus).

Hand management adds another strategic layer, as you’re limited to five cards at turn’s end (excluding special cards), creating tough decisions about when to use bonus and sack cards. What makes this system truly shine is how it integrates with other game mechanics – blue track cards often enhance trading, yellow boosts workshop production, and red improves water management. After numerous plays, we’ve found that mastering these color actions is crucial for victory, whether you’re specializing in one track or diversifying across all three. The system creates a perfect balance of tactical flexibility and strategic depth that keeps drawing us back to explore new combinations, much like the ancient merchants who had to adapt their strategies to changing market conditions.

The Strategy Behind Resafa

What sets Resafa apart is its tight action economy – as unforgiving as the desert itself. With only 18 actions across six rounds, every move matters like water in a drought. This scarcity compels players to pivot strategies dynamically, especially as the availability of workshops, bonus cards, and trading tiles shifts beneath the scorching sun of competition. The color-coded action tracks further enrich this puzzle, offering powerful rewards for players who invest wisely, much like the ancient merchants who knew exactly when to deploy their resources for maximum gain.

For instance, advancing on the yellow track early in one game allowed us to upgrade a starting action card – a moment that felt like discovering a hidden oasis in our strategic wasteland. This flexibility proved invaluable, enabling us to adapt our approach when a competitor monopolized canal tiles, forcing us to carve out a different path to prosperity, just as real desert traders would redirect their caravans when traditional routes became untenable.

The variability in setup and the depth of mechanics make Resafa highly Amusing. Every game feels distinct, with new challenges emerging from the interaction of players’ strategies and the dynamic board state. Each session writes its own tale of commerce and survival, echoing the stories of countless merchants who once sought fortunes in this ancient crossroads of civilization, where the whispers of long-forgotten trade deals still seem to dance on the desert wind. Like those historical traders, we’ve learned that success in Resafa isn’t just about having the best strategy but knowing when to adapt it.

Solo Mode Insights – A Fair play?

Playing against the Resafabot introduces its own challenges. The bot mimics player competition by blocking tiles, stealing bonus cards, and progressing on tracks. Its unpredictability adds a layer of tactical thinking, making solo games as engaging as multiplayer sessions. Though we suspect ancient merchants would find it quite amusing that we’re simulating their life’s work while sitting in our comfortable chairs with air conditioning. One solo playthrough saw the Resafabot dominate the canal network early, forcing us to pivot to a garden-heavy strategy. Despite the setback, the game felt balanced and rewarding, even in defeat.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths

• Interwoven Mechanics: The seamless integration of hand management, resource production, and network building keeps every aspect of gameplay interconnected.
• Special card progression: It forces meaningful choices – you can’t max out everything, and it hurts in the best way
• The strategy: Limited actions and dynamic board elements challenge players to optimize their turns.
• Replayability: Variability in setup and evolving strategies ensures each game feels fresh.
• The Theme: Historical elements enhance the game’s atmosphere without overcomplicating mechanics.

Weaknesses

• Complexity for New Players: While the game is rewarding, its layers of strategy can be overwhelming for first timers. So, we recommend you read our Board game Lexicon or try a less complex board game.
• Tight Action Economy: Some may find the limited actions per game too restrictive, particularly in larger groups.
• Trading base locations: Could use the better visual distinction between 3-4 player spots

None of these cons significantly impact the game’s excellence, but they’re the kind of small details you notice after multiple plays. They’re more quirks than flaws—like that one friend who’s great company despite their occasional odd habits.

Final Thoughts On Resafa

A Desert Masterpiece After dozens of plays across various player counts and experience levels, Resafa has firmly established itself as one of our gaming group’s favorite medium-heavy Eurogames of 2024. Vladimír Suchý, known for his intricate designs like Underwater Cities and Praga Caput Regni, brings his signature style of interconnected mechanisms to this desert trading simulation, but with a refinement that makes it his most accessible complex game to date. What sets Resafa apart is how naturally its mechanisms flow from its historical theme. Unlike some of Suchý’s previous designs, which could sometimes feel like mechanical puzzles with a theme layered on top, every action makes intuitive sense here. Of course, you’d need water to sustain your workshops; naturally, gardens would make your production more efficient. 

The game shines at 3-4 players, where competition for prime canal positions and trading opportunities creates delicious tension. Our most memorable session involved Sarah’s masterful manipulation of the water network, creating what we now jokingly call the “Great Aqueduct of Resafa,” which scored her an impressive 45 points during the final rain phase.

The solo mode deserves special mention. It offers a surprisingly engaging experience that maintains the tension of the multiplayer game. The “Resafabot” AI provides genuine competition without feeling artificial, though it does require careful attention to upkeep.

In conclusion, Resafa represents Vladimír Suchý at his best – complex but not convoluted, strategic but not stifling. It’s earned its permanent place in our collection, and we suspect it will be hitting our table regularly for years to come. For anyone who enjoys thoughtful, historically themed Eurogames with meaningful decisions and multiple paths to victory, Resafa is an essential addition to their collection. Just be prepared to spend your first few games learning from your mistakes – those ancient merchants didn’t build their trading empires in a day, and neither will you!

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The journey is filled with the excitement of gathering resources, forging contracts, and strategically placing dice in a game that starts simple but quickly scales in complexity. Developed by David Stockton, with logistics handled by Ed Stockton, and designed by Sam Stockton, this family-crafted game brings to life the bustling world of fantasy blacksmithing.

Components and Setup: A Forge Master’s First Steps

Opening the box of Forges of Ravenshire feels like stepping into a well-organized blacksmith’s workshop. The game greets you with an impressive array of components, each crafted with attention to detail that would make any master smith proud. If you are a fan of ours, you will know what we want to see when opening a board game box, and Forges of Ravenshire makes it just perfect; if you need help understanding, we are talking about the organization of the components in the box.

The Components

The Main Board

A beautifully illustrated centerpiece representing the bustling town of Ravenshire. Like a master’s anvil, it is the foundation for all your forging endeavors. The board features six distinct districts, each with its own resource-gathering opportunities.

Player Boards

Four double-layered boards that feel as solid as a blacksmith’s workbench. Each board is divided into two sections: the Guild Workshop (where you’ll manage your guild members) and the Production Side (where the actual “forging” takes place). The recessed areas keep your resource cubes securely in place, just like tools in a well-organized forge. Each player board represents the player’s character, making it unique and adding a bit of character.

Dice (18 total)

These come in three distinct colors representing the different guilds:

• Green Harvester Guild dice
• Yellow Alchemist Guild dice
• Purple Merchant Guild dice

The dice feel weighty in your hand, like small ingots ready to be shaped to your will.

Resource Components

• 40 Gold Coins, 25 Bronze Coins and 25 Silver coins
• Cubes for tracking resources (13 per player)
• Various mystic tokens (Talisman, Dragon Scales, Mithril, and Embergem) that gleam like precious metals
• Guild member tokens that represent your growing network of artisans

Cards

• Contract cards in three tiers (Common, Exceptional, and Legendary)
• Assistant cards that add unique abilities
• Reference cards to help guide your forging journey
• Title cards

The Setup

When we first saw the box of the Forges of Ravenshire, we thought it would take ages to set up the board game, but surprisingly, the setup part was very simple and fast, and that’s what got us a point.

The setup process is as straightforward as heating up the forge

First, place the main board centrally, like positioning your anvil in a workshop, and start to fill the board with the needed components. Six districts come to life as you roll the vibrant guild dice—each die carrying the hopes of an Alchemist, Harvester, or Merchant—and place them on their respective district spaces.

The shimmering coins, mystical tokens like Embergems and Mithril, and stacks of contracts are placed around the board, waiting to be claimed, but we just placed the board games component boxes instead of spilling the components near the board game, and thats why component boxes are such an advantage. Finally, the Title Cards are revealed, offering players a glimpse of the glory they could achieve by mastering the forge.

Then give each player their personal forge (player board) along with:

• 5 starting resources (1 each of Wood, Ore, Charcoal, Steel, and Leather)
• 3 dice (one of each color)
• 4 Gold pieces
• 1 Action token
• 1 Common card
• Upgrade Tokens
• Assistant card (optional)

The tools of your trade come next – three dice representing your connections to the local guilds. These will be your means of gathering resources and forging alliances throughout the game. The Harvester’s green, the Alchemist’s yellow, and the Merchant’s purple dice feel like they hold the weight of possibility in your hands.

As any smith knows, you need contracts to make a living. Each player draws three Common Contract cards, studying them carefully before selecting one that will be their first commission. The remaining contracts are returned to the bottom of the deck, like opportunities waiting for another day.

By the end of it, your game board should look like the image shown below, ready to hammer out your strategy like a true Forgemaster preparing for the heat of the forge.

Gameplay Overview – Seasoned with Strategy

Forges of Ravenshire is divided into four rounds, each representing a season. Every season has three phases: Gathering, Production, and End-of-Season, which structure the game’s strategic flow.

In the Gathering Phase, players roll their three dice and place them in one of the six districts on the Main Board to collect resources or recruit guild members. Then, they retrieve another die from the board, activating its corresponding guild on their player board. This “place one, take one” mechanic adds layers to decision-making as players weigh the benefits of different dice values and colors based on their immediate needs and long-term strategies. It’s worth noting that the dice’s color matters only when running guilds; during placement or retrieval, any die can be used, allowing greater flexibility in resource gathering and strategy.

The Production Phase is where the magic of the forge comes alive. The dice collected are placed in various sections of the player board to run the forge, producing goods and completing contracts. As the game progresses, players unlock upgrades to enhance their production efficiency and increase their output.

Finally, in the End-of-Season Phase, titles are awarded for completing certain achievements, and players reset for the next season. The system flows seamlessly, yet each phase has its own strategic depth that keeps players engaged.

The Guild Mechanic – A Unique Twist

One of the standout mechanics in Forges of Ravenshire is the guild system, which enhances the worker-placement genre with a fresh interaction layer. Every time you retrieve a die, you run the guild associated with that die’s color, activating a sequence of abilities on your player board.

This starts simply with each guild providing one basic action, but as players recruit guild members and expand their guild workshop, these actions can compound into powerful combos. For instance, we placed a high-value green die in the Harvester Guild and, thanks to a well-timed upgrade, gained a windfall of resources that allowed us to complete a Legendary contract in the next production phase. The progression from a single action to a cascading series of guild effects is immensely satisfying, and it’s one of the game’s greatest strengths.

Production Phase – Forging for Glory

In the Production Phase, players take the dice they’ve gathered and place them on the production side of their player board. Here, dice values dictate production efficiency, from generating Charcoal in the Kiln to forging steel in the Foundry. Each die placement feels impactful, and choices made in earlier phases directly influence production outcomes.

We loved how each action became a mini puzzle, requiring careful planning to balance resource requirements with production limits. Like master smiths tempering their finest blades, completing contracts is the heart of this phase, with three tiers of contracts—Common, Exceptional, and Legendary—each offering escalating rewards. Adding a Finish to a contract, either a Mithril or Embergem finish, introduces additional strategic choices. For example, completing a Legendary contract with a Mithril finish grants an extra boost in Reputation, which is crucial for accessing higher-tier contracts. It’s a satisfying cycle of work and reward that truly captures the spirit of the blacksmithing theme.

This phase of the game reminded us much of Minecraft, to be specific, the Minecraft furnace, the way you melt things and exchange them is very similar to it, but the board game version is better.

Title Cards – A Competitive Edge

Another layer of competition comes from the Title Cards, which provide end-of-season bonuses for players who achieve specific goals, such as completing a set number of contracts or gathering a large amount of a particular resource. In one game, we raced against another player to earn the Embersmith title by adding Embergem finishes to as many contracts as possible. The secondary bonuses for subsequent seasons ensure that players remain competitive, even if they fall behind on an early title.

The title mechanic adds another layer of rivalry and urgency, as every player is eyeing the same prizes, pushing them to adapt their strategies in response to the competition.

Assistant Cards – Boosts and Variability

While not essential, the optional Assistant Cards are an excellent addition. They add asymmetrical abilities that give each player a slight edge in a particular area. For example, the Raven Broker Assistant allowed one player to manipulate dice with Talismans, flipping them to favorable values. This added a level of personalization and replayability, as each Assistant card offers a unique ability that can change the game’s flow. We found that Assistants introduced just the right amount of variability to keep each playthrough fresh.

Playthrough Experiences – A Day in the Forge

We had the pleasure of playing Forges of Ravenshire with several different groups, each bringing a unique approach to the game. In one playthrough, we aimed for a high-reputation strategy, focusing on securing contracts that would boost our status on the Reputation Track. Early on, we placed dice on the Smoky Valley to gather Charcoal. The rhythmic clang of hammer on anvil echoed through our minds as we worked to keep the Kiln running and produce high-quality goods.

By mid-game, our upgraded Kiln was churning out Charcoal and Embergems, allowing us to fulfill contracts with valuable finishes that boosted our income significantly. We took a different approach during a more competitive session, focusing on recruiting guild members to maximize the production phase. We strategically selected guild members who granted bonuses to resource generation and contract completion. In the Gathering Phase, each choice felt critical—should we pick up a die from the Sharprock Mountains to gain additional Ore and Mithril, or retrieve a Merchant Guild die to gain extra gold through our guild members? This playthrough highlighted the importance of adaptability and tactical flexibility as we adjusted our strategy based on the dice available on the board.

Final Thoughts – Is Forges of Ravenshire for You

After several playthroughs, Forges of Ravenshire has firmly established itself as a standout title in the medium-weight euro board game genre. The combination of dice manipulation, resource management, and contract fulfillment is executed precisely, offering enough complexity for experienced gamers while remaining accessible to newcomers. It’s a game that rewards careful planning but allows for tactical flexibility, as players can pivot strategies based on the dice and resources at hand.

Much like a master blacksmith’s well-worn tools, the guild mechanic is a breath of fresh air. It offers unique strategic layers without overburdening players with too many choices. Each turn, players are presented with meaningful decisions, from gathering resources to managing guild upgrades. The title cards, assistant cards, and dice-based actions are harmoniously balanced, creating a satisfying experience that keeps us coming back.

If you’re in the market for a Euro-style game with a compelling theme and rewarding mechanics, Forges of Ravenshire is well worth your attention. The gameplay loop is highly satisfying, with a rewarding blend of strategy and resource management. Whether you’re an experienced gamer or a newcomer, there’s plenty

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