Paris 1889 (2020) Board Game

Paris 1889 is a board game set in the late 19th century during the World Exposition held in Paris. Players take on the roles of characters attending the extravagant event, navigating through the city and interacting with other players to achieve their goals.

Game Components of Paris 1889

Game board featuring a map of Paris

Building tiles with various values and types (coffee shops, hotels, newsstands, theaters)

Key tokens for player placement

Bank tokens for gaining francs

VP (Victory Point) tiles for scoring districts

25 unique bonus tiles

Landmark tiles for special buildings

Post cards or action cards (in the case of *Paris: La Cité de La Lumière*)

How To Setup Paris 1889

To set up the game, players start with a common board devoid of buildings. Each player receives a set of key tokens and a starting amount of francs. The building tiles are shuffled and placed face down, ready to be drawn and placed in the different districts of Paris.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Area Majority: Players draw and place building tiles in different districts, with each tile’s value determining the cost and potential scoring for the district.

Key Placement: Players place their keys on banks to gain francs or move keys to buildings within the same district, paying the required francs.

District Scoring: The player who places the fourth key on a building assigns a VP tile to the district, determining its scoring value.

Bonus Tiles: Players can choose bonus tiles when acquiring low-value buildings, offering various benefits and challenges.

Landmarks: Wealthy players can acquire special landmarks for additional scoring opportunities.

Objective: The goal is to accumulate the most points by strategically placing keys, acquiring buildings, and leveraging bonus tiles.

Player Experience

Playing *Paris 1889* is a delightful and strategic experience. The game is easy to teach but layered with depth, making it appealing to both casual and experienced gamers. Players must balance their financial resources, decide on key placements, and strategically choose bonus tiles to maximize their scoring potential. The game fosters a sense of tension and interaction as players compete for majority control in the districts and make tactical decisions to outmaneuver their opponents.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Offers a rich and engaging gameplay experience with multiple layers of strategy.

Elegant Design: The game’s mechanics and components are well-integrated and visually pleasing.

High Replayability: Each game session can be different due to the random placement of building tiles and the variety of bonus tiles.

Simple to Learn: Easy to teach and understand, making it accessible to new players.

Cons

Tight Resources: Managing francs can be challenging, which might limit some players’ options.

Luck Element: The random draw of building tiles can introduce an element of luck, affecting player strategies.

Personal Thoughts on Paris 1889

*Paris 1889* is a game that caters to a wide range of players. It is ideal for those who enjoy strategic planning, area majority games, and economic management. While it may appeal more to experienced gamers due to its complexity, it is still accessible and enjoyable for casual players looking to step up their gaming experience. The game’s balance of strategy and interaction makes it a great addition to any board game collection.

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