Imhotep Board Game Review: Building Monuments and Mastering Strategy in Ancient Egypt

Today, we’re taking a trip back to ancient Egypt to explore the monumental Imhotep board game. This strategy game is not just about building, it’s about competition. It challenges players to become master builders, competing fiercely to construct the most impressive structures and earn eternal glory. Let’s uncover the mysteries of Imhotep and feel the thrill of the competition.

Overview of Imhotep Board Game

Imhotep is a strategic board game designed by Phil Walker-Harding and published by KOSMOS in 2016. It accommodates two to four players and typically takes about 40 minutes to play. The game is named after the famous Egyptian architect Imhotep, who was known for his work on the first pyramids. In this game, players take on the role of builders, transporting stones to various construction sites to create magnificent monuments. Let’s see where Imhotep fits in in the vast world of board games.

Imhotep Theme and Setting

Set in ancient Egypt, Imhotep board game immerses players in the world of grand architecture and monumental construction. The goal is to transport stones via boats to different building sites, where they will be used to construct pyramids, temples, obelisks, and burial chambers. The theme is well integrated into the gameplay, making each turn feel like a step toward creating something truly grand.

Components

Imhotep comes with high-quality components that enhance the gaming experience:

• Stone Blocks: These are chunky and satisfying to handle.
• Ships: Wooden pieces that carry the stone blocks to different sites.
• Site Boards: Double-sided boards representing different construction sites.
• Market Cards and Round Cards: These introduce variability and strategic options.
• Scoreboard and Supply Sleds: To keep track of points and stones.

Setting up Imhotep

Setting up Imhotep board game is straightforward:

1. Place the main scoreboard in the center of the table.
2. Arrange the five site boards around the scoreboard.
3. Shuffle and place the Market Cards face-down near the Market site.
4. Place boat tiles near the Quarry.
5. Each player selects a color and takes all corresponding wooden stones.
   • Before the game starts, stones are distributed to players based on turn order: The first player places two stones on their supply sled.
   • The second player places three stones on their supply sled.
   • The third player places four stones on their supply sled.
   • The fourth player places five stones on their supply sled.
6. Once this is done, set out the site boards.

The round marker starts at round one, ready for players to begin their journey as master builders.

Site boards

There are five main site boards where boats can deliver stones:

1. Market: Players draw cards from the market deck, which provide various benefits and abilities.
2. Pyramid: Stones placed here contribute to constructing a pyramid, earning points based on their position.
3. Temple: Stones added here to score points at the end of each round based on visibility from above.
4. Burial Chamber: Stones placed here score points at the end of the game based on contiguous groups.
5. Obelisks: Stones contribute towards building tall obelisks, with points awarded based on height.

Market Cards

At the start of the game, the Market Cards are shuffled and placed face-down near the Market site. These cards come in four types, each offering a diverse range of unique benefits that can significantly influence gameplay. The variety of these benefits is sure to keep you intrigued and eager to explore:

1. Blue Cards (Immediate Use): These cards provide instant effects that can be used as soon as they are drawn. They might allow you to take extra stones, move additional ships, or gain other immediate advantages.
2. Green Cards (End-of-Game Bonuses): These cards score points at the end of the game based on specific conditions, such as having the most stones in a particular monument or achieving specific configurations.
3. Red Cards (One-Time Use): These cards offer powerful one-time abilities that can be useful for critical moments during the game. Examples include moving a stone from one site to another or gaining extra stone placement in specific actions that are already used up this round.
4. Purple Cards (Statues): Statues provide end-game points based on the number of statues collected. The more statues you have, the higher your score from this set collection aspect.

In each round, new Market Cards are revealed and placed face-up in the Market area. Players can strategically acquire these cards by sending their stones to the Market site when they sail a ship there. This Decision is not to be taken lightly, as it can shape your overall game plan, providing both immediate benefits and long-term scoring opportunities.

Round Cards

Round Cards structure each game of Imhotep. At the start, shuffle and place them face-down near the main scoreboard. Each round, reveal the top card to show available ships with varying capacities (1 to 4 stones). This helps players plan their moves. After all boats are sailed and stones placed, perform end-of-round actions like scoring.

Imhotep Board Game Mechanic

The mechanics of Imhotep are straightforward but offer depth, which makes this game a good strategy game. Each player has a supply of stones that they must ship to various construction sites. The play unfolds over seven rounds, each consisting of four available ships of varying sizes.

At the beginning of the game, players take turns performing one of four actions:

1. Take Stones from the Quarry: Players add three stones to their supply sled, holding a maximum of five stones.
2. Place a Stone on a Ship: Players add one stone to any ship, which can hold up to its specified capacity.
3. Sail a Ship: Players move any ship that has met its minimum stone requirement to a construction site. (Usually with one space remaining)
4. Play a Blue Tool Card: These cards provide special one-time-use abilities that can significantly influence the game.

This simple yet strategic system ensures that every decision counts, making Imhotep board game an engaging and dynamic experience from start to finish.

Example Turn Sequence

1. Player A takes three stones from the Quarry.
2. Player B places a stone on Ship 1.
3. Player C sails Ship 1 to the Pyramid site.
4. Player D uses a Tool Card to perform an additional action.

Summarizing Points

Imhotep board game at its core, is a gateway game that revolves around five pivotal Ancient Egyptian monuments. Each of these monuments presents players with unique challenges and scoring opportunities, adding a strategic layer to the game.

1. The market is a crucial element where players acquire Market Cards. With their unique abilities and end-game scoring bonuses, these cards can significantly influence game strategy and outcomes, making them a crucial part of the game.
2. Pyramid: Offers immediate point scoring based on stone placement. Higher and more central positions typically yield more points, encouraging tactical timing of stone deliveries.
3. Temple: Scores at the end of each round. Points are awarded based on the visibility of stones from above, with higher layers being more valuable. This mechanism promotes long-term planning and strategic stone placement.
4. Burial Chamber: Scores at the game’s end for contiguous groups of stones. Larger clusters yield higher scores, incentivizing spatial thinking and careful placement throughout the game.
   • The Obelisks, another scoring element, come into play at the game’s end. The points are based on the obelisk’s height and the player count. The player with the tallest obelisk earns the most points. Bonus points are awarded based on the number of players, ensuring balanced scoring opportunities regardless of the player count. In a 3-player game, the tallest score is 12 points, the second is 6 points, and the shortest is 1 point.
   • In a 2-player game, the tallest score is 10 points, and the shorter is 1 point. This sliding scale ensures balanced scoring opportunities regardless of player count.

Each site has an A-side (standard play) and a B-side (advanced strategies), enhancing replayability. The diverse scoring mechanisms across these sites force players to strategize.

Imhotep Strategy

Mastering Imhotep board game requires careful planning and adaptability. Here are some key strategies to consider:

1. Balance Immediate vs Long-term Points: While placing stones in the Pyramid yields immediate points, focusing too much on it might leave you behind in long-term scoring opportunities like those in the Burial Chamber or Obelisks.
2. Monitor Opponents’ Moves: Keep an eye on your opponents’ stone placements and try to anticipate their strategies. Sailing ships at opportune moments can disrupt their plans while benefiting your own.
3. Optimize Tool Cards: Use Tool Cards strategically to provide crucial advantages at critical moments. Be bold and use them early if it means gaining a significant lead or blocking an opponent’s critical move.
4. Efficient Stone Management: Always ensure you have enough stones in your supply sled, but avoid overstocking since it limits your flexibility in action.
5. Adaptability: Be ready to change your strategy based on how the game unfolds—whether reacting to opponents’ moves or adjusting due to unfavorable Market Card draws.

Strengths

• Tactile Satisfaction: The physical components are well-made and enjoyable to handle.
• Strategic Depth: Despite simple rules, there are many layers of strategy involving timing, placement, and blocking opponents.
• Replayability: The double-sided boards and variety of Market Cards ensure no two games are alike.
• Player Interaction: High levels of interaction keep all players engaged throughout the game.

Weaknesses

• Randomness in Market Draws: Some players may find the luck involved in drawing Market Cards frustrating if certain cards disproportionately benefit some players.
• Potential for Aggression: The ability to block or sabotage opponents can lead to feelings of frustration or unfairness, particularly in more competitive groups.
• Learning Curve for New Players: While not overly complex, new players might need time to grasp optimal strategies fully.

Personal Opinion and Rating

After a thorough playthrough with a group of four, we’ve developed a nuanced view of Imhotep board game. Our test group consisted of Sarah, a strategic mastermind; Tom, a casual gamer; Jake, our resident risk-taker. The game began with palpable excitement as we hefted those satisfyingly chunky stone blocks onto our supply sleds. Many elements of the game reminded us of a classical euro game, but that sailing ship mechanic kept the game exciting and unpredictable.

From the outset, Sarah’s meticulous planning was evident. She focused on the Temple, carefully timing her stone placements to maximize end-of-round scoring. On the other hand, Tom spent the first two rounds stockpiling stones like a squirrel preparing for winter, not fully grasping the importance of early placement. By round three, his supply sled resembled a miniature quarry, and we couldn’t help but chuckle at his stone-hoarding strategy.

Jake’s approach was… interesting. He had an uncanny ability to draw the most situationally useful Market Cards, leading to playful accusations of card-sharking. His luck peaked when he drew three consecutive Statue cards, giving him a significant advantage in collecting all five. This led to a memorable moment where Sarah, usually calm and collected, dramatically accused the Egyptian gods of favoritism.

The B-sides of the location boards added an extra layer of complexity that we all appreciated. The tetris-like scoring of the B-side Burial Chamber led to some intense final rounds, with all of us hunched over the board, plotting our moves like generals planning a campaign.

While the gameplay was engaging, it wasn’t without its issues. The randomness introduced by the Market Cards sometimes felt at odds with the otherwise strategic nature of the game. Tom’s initial struggles highlighted a steeper learning curve than we anticipated, potentially off-putting for new players.

Moreover, the ability to disrupt others’ plans by sailing ships prematurely led to some tense moments. Sarah’s enthusiasm noticeably waned after Jake repeatedly sailed her carefully loaded ships to unintended locations. This potential for aggressive play might not sit well with all groups.

Imhotep Board Game Final Thoughts

Considering all factors, we rate Imhotep 3 out of 5. It’s undeniably a clever game with high-quality components and engaging mechanics. The tactile satisfaction of placing stones and sailing ships is undeniable, and the variable setup ensures good replayability. However, the combination of luck-based elements (particularly in the Market Cards) and the potential for overly aggressive play prevents it from reaching greater heights.

While our group had fun, Imhotep board game might fall flat with certain players or groups. It’s a solid addition to a varied game collection, but may not be the automatic go-to for every game night. It shines brightest with the right mix of players who can appreciate its strategic depth while not taking the inevitable setbacks too personally. In the end, like the ancient Egyptian monuments it emulates, Imhotep is a testament to clever design, even if it still needs to reach the lofty heights of gaming perfection.