Amoeba (2019) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Amoeba is a modern abstract strategy board game released in in 2019. Designed by Sebastian Koziner and Greg Preslicka, this game challenges players to strategically place tiles and control amoebas to dominate the game board. With beautiful artwork by IDW Games and Peliko Oy, Amoeba offers a visually appealing experience for players of all ages.

Game Components of Amoeba

Tiles: Numerous cardboard tiles featuring various amoeba segments and gaps.

Nuclei Markers: Wooden markers used to claim amoeba segments.

Die: A large, solid, and engraved die with numbers 1, 2, 2, 3.

Player Hands: Each player holds three tiles at any given time.

How To Setup Amoeba

To set up Amoeba, shuffle the tiles and deal three to each player. Each player receives a set of Nuclei Markers. Place the die within reach of all players, and set the first tile on the table to start the board.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Tile Laying: Players roll the die to determine how many tiles they can place on their turn.

Tile Placement: Tiles can be placed normally, offset by half a tile, or to cover gaps, as long as the art matches up.

Segment Division: Players can split opponents’ amoebas by placing tiles on top, but only one level high.

Nuclei Placement: Players place Nuclei Markers in completed amoeba segments to claim them.

Objective

The objective is to build and claim the most amoeba segments (doots) by placing tiles strategically and splitting opponents’ amoebas.

The game ends when all tiles have been played, and the player with the most doots wins.

Player Experience

Playing Amoeba involves a dynamic strategy of building and dividing amoeba segments. At higher player counts, the game can become less engaging due to long wait times between turns and the frequent division of large amoebas. However, with two players, the game feels more tactical and engaging.

Pros

Unique Tile Placement: The ability to place tiles offset and on top of gaps adds a fresh twist to tile-laying games.

Solid Production Quality: The game features nice, sturdy components, including a large and impressive die.

Portable: The game is compact and easy to take on the go.

Strategic Depth: Encourages strategic thinking and planning.

Cons

High Player Count Issues: Games with more than two players can be slow and less strategic.

Tile Imbalance: Some tiles are less desirable to play, leading to a ‘Mother Doot’ scenario where many tiles are unused.

Complexity in Division: The division of amoebas can sometimes be confusing and hard to manage.

Personal Thoughts on Amoeba

Amoeba is a great fit for fans of tile-laying games like Carcassonne, especially those who enjoy strategic games with a unique twist. It is particularly suited for two-player games, where the tactical aspect is more pronounced. While it may not be the best choice for larger groups due to the potential for long downtime and less strategic play, it remains a solid and enjoyable game for those who appreciate its mechanics. If you like portable, strategically deep games with cute and engaging themes, Amoeba is definitely worth considering.

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