Rajas of the Ganges (2017) Board Game

Rajas of the Ganges is a board game designed by Inka and Markus Brand, known for their innovative game mechanics and engaging gameplay. Released in 2017, the game quickly gained popularity for its unique combination of dice rolling, worker placement, and tile placement mechanics. Set in Renaissance India, players take on the role of competing Rajas trying to expand their territories and gain wealth and prestige.

Game Components of Rajas of the Ganges

Board: Central board with various areas such as the Chambers, Palace, Quarry, Market Place, and Harbour.

Province Boards: Each player receives a Province board to build their estate.

Dice: Four colors of dice (purple, orange, blue, and green) used for worker placement.

Kali Statue: A dice-holding statue for each player.

Workers: Three workers per player, with the option to unlock additional workers.

Tokens: Yield tokens, karma tokens, and other bonus tokens.

Province Tiles: Twelve stacks of face-up tiles to be placed on the Province board.

Boat Token: For navigating the river and gaining bonuses.

How To Setup Rajas of the Ganges

To set up the game, spread out the central board and sort the province tiles by color and then by their animal backs. Flip them over to create twelve stacks of face-up tiles. Each player receives a Province board, a Kali statue, tokens of their preferred color, and one of each color dice. Roll the dice and place them on the Kali statue. Add yield tokens to the board and place the relevant pieces on the board. Setup can differ slightly when including mini expansions or game variants.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Worker Placement: Players take turns placing their workers in different areas of the board.

Chambers: Gain various benefits like first player token, additional dice, yield token bonuses, or karma points.

Palace: Convert, gain, or reroll dice.

Quarry: Purchase tiles with specific colored dice to place on the Province board.

Market Place: Sell wares matching symbols on tiles for wealth.

Harbour: Move up the river and gain one-off bonuses.

Karma Tracker: Spend karma to flip a die to its opposite side or increase fame.

Dual Tracks: Players track wealth and fame on separate tracks moving in opposite directions. The game ends when a player’s wealth and fame tracks intersect, with the player having the largest separation between their markers winning.

Player Experience

Rajas of the Ganges offers a strategic and engaging experience with a delicate balance between wealth and fame. The game is relatively straightforward, with low interaction between players, making it suitable for game groups or couples looking for a Euro-style scoring puzzle without mean playstyles. Players have multiple choices on how to spend their dice, and the game’s design ensures that players are never completely blocked out of actions.

Pros

Good Strategy: Requires balancing wealth and fame.

Lots of Dice Rolling: Engaging dice mechanics.

Thrilling Final Turns: Often close and exciting endings.

Variants Included: Options like the Navaratnas version and Ganga Module to mix up gameplay.

Cons

Complicated Board: Can look complex and dated.

Iconography to Learn: Some symbols and icons require understanding.

Busy Rulebook: Ambiguous around certain rules.

Hard to Find: Currently challenging to purchase.

Personal Thoughts on Rajas of the Ganges

Rajas of the Ganges is ideal for fans of worker placement and dice rolling games who enjoy strategic gameplay with minimal direct conflict. It’s a great choice for those seeking a game that challenges them to balance different tracks and make optimal use of their resources. The inclusion of variants adds replayability, making it a staple in many board game collections. However, new players might find the initial setup and iconography learning curve a bit steep, but the overall experience is rewarding and engaging.

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