Spectrum (2022) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Spectrum is a card game that was released in 2022 and designed by Greg May and Dann May. It falls under the categories of Deduction, Humor, and Party Game, making it a great choice for game nights with friends or family.

Game Components of Spectrum

Board: Featuring 12 colors, including 6 primary colors (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple) and 6 intermediate colors.

Pawns: Each player chooses a color and takes 12 pawns of that color.

Color Cubes: 4 cubes with each side representing one of the 6 primary colors.

Expansions: Includes Spectrum Cards Deck Expansion and d12 dice expansion, available free for Kickstarter backers.

How To Setup Spectrum

To set up Spectrum, each player chooses a color and takes the corresponding pawns. The pawns are distinguished by their color but do not affect gameplay. Players start by rolling 2 color cubes to determine which colors they can move on their first turn. All pawns begin off the board and must enter at the start of one of the primary colors marked by a solid black star. The number of colors needed to win varies based on the number of players.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Objective: Capture a set number of colors by moving pawns to the center spaces marked by colored stars.

Movement: Players roll color cubes to determine which colors they can move on their turn.

Capturing Colors: Moving to a center spot with a colored star captures that color for the player.

Unlocking Cubes: Additional cubes are introduced as players capture more colors (3rd cube after 4th color, 4th cube after 8th color).

Block, Capture, Jump: Players can block opponents, capture colors, and jump over other pawns to achieve their goals.

Player Experience

Spectrum offers a dynamic and strategic gameplay experience, particularly with more players. The game is designed to be simple to learn but rich in strategy, falling somewhere between the complexity of chess and the simplicity of checkers. The addition of expansions like the Spectrum Cards and d12 dice adds variety and new mechanics, such as color swapping and additional movement options. Players must balance the ease of reaching certain colors with the strategic risk of being blocked or captured by opponents.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Offers a good balance between simplicity and strategic complexity.

Colorful and Engaging Board: The use of colors adds a visually appealing element.

Variable Player Count: Supports 2-6 players, with different dynamics depending on the number of players.

Expansions: Free expansions for Kickstarter backers add new gameplay mechanics.

Cons

Initial Slow Pace: Two-player games can be slower-paced, though the Shotgun start mechanic helps alleviate this.

Personal Thoughts on Spectrum

Spectrum is ideal for those who enjoy abstract strategy games but prefer a simpler ruleset. It’s a great game for families or casual gamers looking for something more engaging than traditional board games. The game’s design makes it accessible to a wide range of players, and the expansions offer enough variety to keep the game fresh over multiple plays. For fans of strategic movement and color-based gameplay, Spectrum is a compelling addition to any game collection.

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