Patriot (2023) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Patriot is a board game that takes place during the Civil War era, focusing on political intrigue, espionage, and strategic gameplay. Designed by Jeff Brown and Ali Phelps, and published by Grand Gamers Guild, it was released in in 2023. With a playing time ranging from 30 to 180 minutes, Patriot is recommended for players aged 14 and up, with a player count of 1 to 6.

Game Components of Patriot

Character cards

Influence cards

Allegiance cards

Brief cards (influence and choice briefs)

Government building tiles (Treasury, Surveillance Center, Research Laboratory, War Room)

Action point tokens

Skill cards

Event cards

Custom campaign tiles for solo and multiplayer modes

How To Setup Patriot

To set up Patriot, players first determine the number of players and the game mode: either the 1-2 player campaign mode or the 3-6 player social deduction mode. Each player selects a character card, which outlines their abilities and starting resources. The game board is composed of four main areas: the Treasury, Surveillance Center, Research Laboratory, and War Room. Players also draw allegiance cards, which reveal their true loyalties, including the potential assassin. The brief deck is shuffled and placed within reach, containing the events and policy decisions that players will face during the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Category: Social deduction, politics, and assassination

Mechanics: Deck building, combat, engine building, social deduction

Objective: The president’s objective is to survive to the end of the fifth round without being assassinated or the threat level becoming too high. The assassin’s objective is to kill the president without being detected.

Turn Structure: Each player’s turn involves drawing skill cards, taking actions within the action point limit, and resolving briefs or events at the end of their turn.

Government Buildings:
– Treasury: Manage funds and taxes.
– Surveillance Center: Deploy beacons or drones, and attempt assassinations.
– Research Laboratory: Conduct scientific research and implement experiments.
– War Room: Deploy and move troops, and quell riots.

Briefs: Influence and choice briefs that force players to make difficult decisions, affecting the game state and public opinion.

Player Experience

Playing Patriot is a dense and immersive experience, reminiscent of games like Dead of Winter. Players must balance their actions between fulfilling the demands of the assassin and uncovering the traitor among them. The game is full of crunch, with numerous moving parts and complex decisions. The campaign mode offers over 20 hours of content for 1-2 players, while the social deduction mode provides high replayability with varied outcomes each game.

Pros

High Replayability: Multiple characters, loyalties, and objectives ensure a different game each time.

Immersive Theme: The dystopian sci-fi setting and dark art create a consistent and engaging theme.

Complex Mechanics: Combines deck building, combat, and engine building for a rich gameplay experience.

Engaging Storytelling: The game generates memorable stories and moments through its dynamic events and player interactions.

Cons

Complexity: The game has many rules and components, which can be overwhelming for new players.

Balance Issues: Some scenarios may present unbalanced situations, requiring players to adapt and learn.

Rulebook Clarity: The rulebook is not ergonomically friendly, which can make it difficult for new players to understand the game.

Personal Thoughts on Patriot

Patriot is ideal for fans of social deduction games and those who enjoy complex, thinky games with high replayability. It suits players who appreciate a mix of politics, deception, and strategic gameplay. While it may present a steep learning curve, the game rewards those who invest time in understanding its mechanics, making it a great addition to any board game collection that values depth and replay value.

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