Manila (2005)
Manila
Manila is a German-style board game designed by Franz-Benno Delonge and published in 2005 by Zoch Verlag and Rio Grande Games. It is set in colonial Manila and involves auctioning/bidding, betting/wagering, commodity speculation, dice rolling, and worker placement. The game has won several awards, including the 2005 Deutscher Spiele Preis Best Family/Adult Game 3rd Place.
Why is Manila Popular?
Manila is a fun family game that takes minutes to learn and brings the river boats of the Philippines to life. It is also known for being an enjoyable game that provides a lot of fun.
Game Components of Manila
– Double-sided plastic coins in several denominations
– Large wooden boats
– Cardboard tokens
– Goods cards (jade, coffee, ginger, cloth)
– Dice in the colors of the goods
– Value indicators for the goods
– Accomplices (20) in five colors
– Punt loads for the goods
– Game board with a river track and market price track
– Pilot influence tokens.
How To Setup Manila
To set up Manila, each player starts with thirty pesos and two random shares of goods (jade, coffee, ginger, or cloth). A marker for each share is placed on a track on the board, and the rest of the shares are placed face up nearby. Each player also receives three accomplices (four if only three players are playing). The game board is laid out with the river track, market price tracks, and spaces for the goods and boats. The first round begins with an auction to determine the Harbormaster.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
– Auction/Bidding
– Betting and Bluffing
– Commodity Speculation
– Dice Rolling
– Worker Placement
– The goal is to become the most successful merchant by accumulating the highest fortune. Players bid to become the Harbormaster, decide which goods participate in each round, and place their accomplices to influence the outcome. The game ends when the value marker for at least one ware reaches 30 on the black market table, and the player with the highest fortune wins.
Player Experience
Playing Manila is a lively and engaging experience, often described as a fun and light game. The game involves strategic bidding, placing accomplices, and influencing the movement of boats down the river through pilots. The roll of dice adds an element of luck, but players can mitigate this by spreading their bets. The game is known for its interactive and noisy sessions, with players cheering and jeering as the boats move down the river.
Pros
Cons
Personal Thoughts on Manila
Manila is a game that suits players who enjoy a mix of strategy and luck, and those who appreciate the thrill of gambling-like mechanics. It is ideal for families and casual gamers who are looking for a fun, hour-long game session. While it may not appeal to those who prefer games with minimal luck, Manila’s engaging gameplay and beautiful components make it a standout in its category. It’s a great choice for anyone looking to add a light, entertaining game to their collection.
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