Campus Café (2018) Board Game

Campus Café is a board game that was released in in 2018. Designed by Marina Fischetti and Bartłomiej Kordowski, this game is set in a college campus café where players take on the roles of baristas managing their coffee shop. With a focus on economic strategy, dice rolling, set collection, variable player powers, and worker placement, Campus Café offers a unique gaming experience for 2 to 5 players.

Game Components of Campus Café

Game board

Player tokens and characters

Resource cards

Action cards

Scoreboard and scoring tokens

Rulebook

How To Setup Campus Café

To set up the game, each player chooses a token and places it on the starting space on the board. Players receive a set of resource cards and action cards based on the number of players. The game board is divided into various spaces representing different areas of the campus, such as classrooms, cafeteria, and library. Players must arrange their cards and tokens according to the initial setup rules outlined in the rulebook.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Resource Management: Players manage their resources (time, money, etc.) to perform actions.

Action Cards: Players use action cards to move around the campus, attend classes, and engage in activities.

Economic Strategy: The goal is to optimize resource use and make strategic decisions to maximize points.

Scorekeeping: Points are earned by completing tasks, attending classes, and managing resources efficiently.

Player Experience

Playing **Campus Café** is a light and engaging experience that introduces players to basic economic and strategic thinking. The game is easy to learn but offers enough depth to keep players interested. The short playtime makes it an excellent choice for families or casual game nights.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it accessible to younger players.

Quick Playtime: Games are short, lasting 20-30 minutes.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players aged 8 and above.

Strategic Depth: Encourages basic economic and strategic thinking.

Cons

Limited Complexity: May not appeal to experienced gamers looking for more complex mechanics.

Replay Value: The game’s simplicity might reduce its replay value for some players.

Personal Thoughts on Campus Café

**Campus Café** is ideal for families, casual gamers, and those new to board games. It provides a gentle introduction to economic strategy and resource management without overwhelming complexity. For experienced gamers, it might be too light, but it serves as an excellent gateway game to more complex economic and strategic games.

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