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High Voltage (2006) Board Game

ByMichail

High Voltage is a board game released in 2006, designed by Post Scriptum and Scribabs. It falls under the category of Industry/Manufacturing and involves tile placement as its main mechanism. The game is designed for 2-4 players, with a runtime of about 45 minutes. Players aged 10 and above can enjoy this game, which challenges them to manage resources and build power plants efficiently.

Game Components of High Voltage

  • 48 Voltage Cards** placed face down in a 7×7 grid, with the middle square left open.
  • 32 Score Cards** forming the power stations in four different colors (red, yellow, blue, and green) and acting as a scoring track.
  • 36 Energy Tokens** with High Voltage on one side and Danger on the other.
  • 20 Action Tokens** and **4 Special Action Tokens**.
  • 20 Point Tokens**.
  • 4 Wooden Score Markers**.
  • Power Company Cards** indicating the color of the company each player represents.

    How To Setup High Voltage

    To set up High Voltage, players create a board by placing the 48 Voltage Cards face down in a 7×7 grid, leaving the middle square empty. The 32 Score Cards are arranged face up around this grid, forming the power stations in a numeric order. Each player receives five Action Tokens, one Special Action Token, and a Power Company Card that remains secret until the end of the game. The colored parts of the lines on the cards must face the inside of the square.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Grid Formation:** Players place Voltage Cards to form electric lines.
  • Action Tokens:** Players use Action Tokens to place, move, or rotate Voltage Cards.
  • Special Actions:** Special Action Tokens allow players to move or swap cards with Danger tokens or take a double move.
  • Closing Lines:** Players connect power stations using at least four Voltage Cards to close an electric line, scoring points based on the line’s length and color.
  • Scoring:** Points are assigned to companies according to the color of the segments and the length of the line.
  • Objective:** The player with the highest score, revealed after all lines are closed or no more lines can be completed, wins the game.

    Player Experience

    High Voltage offers a challenging and strategic gameplay experience where players must manage their actions carefully to build efficient electric lines. The game’s thematic mechanics, such as filling lines with enough energy to prevent them from being used in other networks, add a layer of realism and complexity. Players need to balance their secret company’s interests with the public goal of building the most valuable electric lines.

    Pros

  • Strategic Depth:** High Voltage requires careful planning and strategic thinking.
  • Thematic Gameplay:** The game’s mechanics are highly thematic, making the experience immersive.
  • Replayability:** The random placement of Voltage Cards ensures different gameplay each time.

    Cons

  • Complexity:** The game has a steep learning curve due to its intricate rules and setup.
  • Length:** Games can take a significant amount of time to complete, potentially deterring casual players.

    Personal Thoughts on High Voltage

    High Voltage is ideal for players who enjoy complex strategy games and are willing to invest time in learning and mastering the game. It is not suited for casual gamers or those looking for a quick, simple experience. However, for fans of economic and strategic games, High Voltage offers a rich and engaging experience that challenges and rewards strategic thinking.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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