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Villagers (2019) Board Game

ByMichail

Villagers is a card game designed by Haakon Gaarder and published by Sinister Fish Games in in 2019. The game combines elements of city building, industry/manufacturing, and medieval themes, making it a unique and engaging experience for players.

Game Components of Villagers

  • Villager cards: Each card represents a specialist with unique skills and dependencies.
  • Village Square card: Serves as a reminder and a space to place drafted cards.
  • Founder card: Given to each player at the start.
  • Gold coins: Used for transactions and payments.
  • Market cards: Part of the “Road” where players draft cards.
  • Development tokens and cards** (in the expansion): Introduce new scoring mechanisms and bonuses.

    How To Setup Villagers

    To set up the game, each player takes a founder card, a village square card, 8 gold coins, and a hand of 5 villager cards. The remaining villager cards are shuffled and divided into six stacks, with the first card from each stack flipped over to form the “Road.” Market cards are placed at the bottom of the second and sixth stacks, and a reserve pile of villager cards is created. Players also keep a pile of coins nearby.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Card Drafting Phase: Players take turns picking villager cards from the “Road,” limited by the number of food symbols on their village square card.
  • Card Build Phase: Players place drafted cards into their village, adhering to the building symbols and dependencies on the cards.
  • Padlock Mechanic: Some cards require specific villagers or payments to be placed.
  • Special Cards: These cards have unique powers to boost or disrupt gameplay.
  • Objective: Build the most prosperous village by recruiting the right workers, managing resources, and outwitting opponents to score the most points.

    Player Experience

    **Villagers** is a game that starts simple but quickly becomes complex as players navigate the interdependencies of the villager cards. The game requires strategic planning and sometimes a bit of “hate drafting” to prevent opponents from building strong chains. Despite the potential for huge point swings at the end, the game keeps players engaged throughout, as they need to monitor other players’ moves and adjust their strategies accordingly. The solo variant involves playing against an AI, the Countess, which presents its own set of challenges and strategies.

    Pros

  • Engaging Gameplay: Keeps players involved and strategic throughout.
  • High Replayability: Different card combinations and strategies ensure varied gameplay.
  • Easy to Learn: Basic rules are simple, with complexity unveiling as the game progresses.
  • Solo Variant: Provides a challenging and fun single-player experience.

    Cons

  • Rulebook Clarity: The rulebook can be confusing, requiring multiple references.
  • Initial Overwhelm: New players may feel overwhelmed by the card dependencies and rules.
  • Luck of the Draw: Card drafting can sometimes be influenced by luck, affecting strategy.

    Personal Thoughts on Villagers

    **Villagers** is ideal for fans of card drafting and tableau-building games who enjoy strategic planning and player interaction. It’s suitable for players aged 10 and above and supports 1-5 players, making it versatile for different gaming groups. The game’s engine-building aspect and the need to manage resources and dependencies make it a great choice for those who enjoy complex yet rewarding gameplay. While the solo variant is a nice addition, it might not be as engaging as the multiplayer experience, so it’s best for those who enjoy both solo and group play.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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