Mombasa (2015) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Mombasa is a board game designed by Alexander Pfister and published by eggertspiele in in 2015. It is set in the thriving business world of colonial Africa, where players take on the roles of investors seeking to make their fortunes in the trading and shipping industries. With its unique blend of economic strategy and hand management mechanics, Mombasa has gained a dedicated following among board game enthusiasts.

Game Components of Mombasa

Game board depicting a map of Africa

Cards of various types: Goods, Exploration, Bookkeeper, Merchant, and Share cards

Bonus markers

Trading posts and company tracks

Cash and diamonds

Player boards and libraries

How To Setup Mombasa

To set up Mombasa, players start by placing the game board in the middle of the table. Each player receives a similar hand of cards, two bonus markers, and a player board. The cards are shuffled and distributed, with each player having three slots for active cards initially. The game is divided into seven rounds, and each round begins with players simultaneously selecting cards to be active.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Deck Building: Players collect and use various cards to advance their position.

Worker Placement: Bonus markers are placed on the board to claim benefits such as extra cards, cash, or company advancements.

Area Majority / Influence: Players compete to have the most valuable goods or exploration cards to advance along company tracks.

Hand Management: Managing the hand of cards is crucial for strategic play.

Resource Management: Players must manage goods, cash, and diamonds to build the most valuable portfolio.

Objective: The goal is to be the richest player by valuing shares, books, diamonds, and cash at the end of the game.

Player Experience

Mombasa offers a deep, strategic gameplay experience that requires careful planning and decision-making. Players must balance acquiring and trading goods, expanding their libraries, and investing in stocks of the four trading companies. The game’s unique combination of mechanics, including deck/pool building and worker placement, ensures high replayability as available strategies change with each playthrough.

Pros

High Replayability: Different strategies emerge each game.

Deep Strategy: Requires careful planning and decision-making.

Multiple Mechanics: Combines deck building, worker placement, and resource management.

Awards: Won the 2016 Deutscher Spielepreis.

Engaging Theme: Competing trading companies in 18th century Africa.

Cons

Complexity: Can be overwhelming for new players.

No Solo or Cooperative Play: Best suited for 3 or 4 players.

Long Playtime: Can take between 75 to 150 minutes.

Personal Thoughts on Mombasa

Mombasa is ideal for players who enjoy economic strategy games with complex mechanics. It is perfect for those who appreciate games like Brass: Birmingham, Concordia, or Puerto Rico, which also feature deep strategic gameplay and multiple mechanics. While it may take some time to learn the rules, the game offers a highly rewarding experience for enthusiasts of strategic board games. However, it may not be the best fit for casual players or those looking for a quick game.

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