The Pyramid’s Deadline (2016) Board Game

The Pyramid’s Deadline is a board game released in 2016 by Oink Games. Designed and illustrated by Jun Sasaki, this game is set in ancient Egypt and revolves around players racing against time to complete tasks before the pyramid collapses.

Game Components of The Pyramid’s Deadline

Pyramid tiles

Square stones (varies by player count: 6 for 2-3 players, 8 for 4 players, 10 for 5 players, 12 for 6 players)

Dice (varies by player count: 7 for 2-3 players, 5 for 4 players, 6 for 5 players, 7 for 6 players)

Yellow triangle tiles (one per player as an extra tile)

Orange rectangle tiles (one per player as the burial chamber).

How To Setup The Pyramid’s Deadline

Setup is straightforward. Start by setting aside the Pyramid tiles and giving each player a small yellow triangle tile and a big orange rectangle tile for the burial chamber. Arrange the square stones in a line according to the player count. Then, determine the correct number of dice based on the player count and distribute them accordingly. Each player is now ready to start building their pyramid.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Press-your-luck: Players take risks to gather resources.

Drafting: Players select dice to determine which tiles they can place.

Strategic placement: Rules govern how stones must be placed.

Game Objective

Each turn, one player rolls the dice, and players draft the dice to select the types of tiles available.

Players take matching stones and place them in their pyramid, adhering to specific placement rules (e.g., no gaps, horizontal or vertical stripes, no stones under the burial chamber).

The game ends when all players have completed their pyramids or when a player cannot place a stone due to lack of square stones, resulting in that player losing.

The objective is to build a pyramid with gently sloping walls and diagonal capstones, scoring points based on the pyramid’s width and height, minus penalties for capstones and unused tiles.

Player Experience

Playing The Pyramid’s Deadline is a balancing act between ambition and caution. Players must carefully decide when to stop pushing their luck to avoid penalties and ensure they can complete their pyramid before the game ends. The game is engaging, with each player’s decisions influencing the available resources and the pace of the game. It’s a fun, challenging experience that requires strategic thinking and a bit of luck.

Pros

Engaging press-your-luck mechanics

Simple setup but complex gameplay

Encourages strategic thinking and risk management

Fun and challenging for players of various skill levels

Cons

Can be punitive for players who fail to manage their resources well

Limited replayability due to the fixed number of components

Requires attention to detail in stone placement

Personal Thoughts on The Pyramid’s Deadline

The Pyramid’s Deadline is ideal for players who enjoy strategic games with an element of risk. It’s perfect for those who like to balance short-term gains against long-term goals and are comfortable with the possibility of sudden game-ending failures. The game is suited for players looking for a challenge that is both fun and intellectually stimulating, making it a great addition to any game collection.

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