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The Colonists (2016) Board Game

The Colonists is a civilization building game designed by Tim Puls and published by Lookout Games in in 2016. It is a strategic game where players take on the role of colonial settlers and compete to build the best thriving community.

Game Components of The Colonists

  • 62 places
  • 274 buildings
  • 48 storage tiles
  • 4 markets
  • 1 start player marker
  • 140 wooden parts
  • 445 goods tiles
  • 180 cards
  • 4 player boards
  • 9 overviews
  • 1 score pad
  • 1 appendix
  • 1 introductory game
  • 1 rule book.

    How To Setup The Colonists

    Setting up The Colonists involves preparing the central game board, which expands over time, and distributing the various components such as player boards, storage tiles, and goods tiles. Players each receive a player board and the necessary starting resources. The game board is initially set up with the core areas, and additional components are added as the game progresses. The setup process is detailed in the rule book to ensure all players start on an equal footing.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Gameplay Mechanics:**
    – Resource Management: Players collect and manage resources to build residences and other buildings.
    – Worker Placement: Stewards and colonists are used to perform various tasks.
    – Engine-Building: Players develop their colonists’ skills to handle more complex tasks.
    – Area Expansion: The central game board grows, offering more options as the game advances.

  • Game Objective:**
    – Establish a prosperous community by building residences, creating jobs, and ensuring full employment to earn victory points. Players aim to keep their citizens happy and engaged in meaningful work.

    Player Experience

    In The Colonists, players take on the role of mayors tasked with developing their villages. The game offers flexibility in playtime and complexity, allowing for games ranging from a quick hour to extensive campaigns spanning several hours. Players must balance resource collection, building construction, and colonist education to create a thriving community. The game’s dynamic nature, with its expanding game board and numerous development options, ensures that no two games are identical.

    Pros

  • Adaptable Playtime:** Games can be tailored to last anywhere from 1 hour to several hours.
  • High Replayability:** Multiple scenarios and a vast array of components ensure unique gameplay each time.
  • Deep Strategy:** Offers complex resource management and development paths.
  • Dynamic Gameplay:** The expanding game board adds new challenges and opportunities as the game progresses.

    Cons

  • Long Setup:** Setting up the game can be time-consuming due to the numerous components.
  • Steep Learning Curve:** The game has intricate rules and mechanics that may intimidate new players.
  • Extended Playtime:** Games can be much longer than initially estimated, potentially exceeding 8 hours with multiple players and epochs.

    Personal Thoughts on The Colonists

    The Colonists is ideal for experienced board game enthusiasts who enjoy deep strategic gameplay and are willing to invest time in both learning the game and playing it. It is particularly suited for those interested in city-building, resource management, and worker placement mechanics. While it may not be the best fit for casual gamers due to its complexity and lengthy playtime, it offers a highly rewarding experience for those who appreciate intricate game design and the challenge of building a prosperous community from the ground up.

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