Faiyum (2020) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Faiyum is a board game released in 2020 by designer Friedemann Friese and published by 2F-Spiele. The game is set in ancient Egypt, specifically in the city of Faiyum, known for its agricultural fertility and prosperity. Players take on the role of powerful families competing to develop and expand their farms in the region.

Game Components of Faiyum

Cards: 69 numbered playing cards (56 blue bordered, 13 yellow bordered), each with various abilities and points.

Money: Players start with an amount of money based on their turn order.

Administration Overview Card: Each player has this card to manage their resources.

Map: Represents the undeveloped swampland with a bridge across the Nile, roads, strongholds, and crocodile meeples.

Workers: Used to develop the landscape.

Roads and Strongholds: Physical components for building on the map.

Crocodile Meeples: Indicate undeveloped swampland spaces.

How To Setup Faiyum

To set up Faiyum, players start by placing a single road on the bridge across the Nile and a single stronghold on the board. Each swampland space is marked with a crocodile meeple. Players draw eight cards and place them in numerical order on the left-hand side of the board. Each player begins with a small hand of basic cards, including three farmer cards, one road card, and one stronghold card.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card Market Mechanic: New cards enter the market between existing cards, similar to Power Grid.

Deckbuilding: Players buy and add cards to their deck to gain various abilities.

Turn Actions: Players can play a card from their hand, buy a card from the market, or carry out administration.

Administration: Players take money, draw back played cards, and return workers to the board.

Game Objective: Develop the Faiyum basin by building roads, strongholds, workshops, and monuments to gain prestige points. The game ends when four natural disaster cards (yellow bordered high-numbered cards) fill the future market.

Player Experience

Faiyum offers a deep strategic experience with simple mechanics, making it accessible to both casual and heavy gamers. The game typically lasts 75-90 minutes. Players must balance playing cards, buying new ones, and managing their resources efficiently. The game’s replayability is high due to the randomized card market and the various combinations of cards. The tension in the card market is more pronounced with higher player counts, but the game remains enjoyable even at two players.

Pros

High Replayability: Randomized card market and endless card combinations.

Deep Strategy: Simple mechanics with a deep strategic layer.

Engaging Theme: Develops a story of transforming the Faiyum basin into a metropolis.

Balanced Mechanics: Combines deckbuilding, card market, and resource management effectively.

Player Interaction: Shared board and resources create strategic interactions.

Cons

Component Quality: Some players find the components and art to be less appealing.

Learning Curve: While the mechanics are simple, mastering the game requires experience.

Two-Player Experience: Less tension in the card market compared to higher player counts.

Personal Thoughts on Faiyum

Faiyum is ideal for fans of Friedemann Friese, deckbuilding enthusiasts, and those who enjoy strategic games with a strong theme. It appeals to both casual and heavy gamers due to its balanced mechanics and high replayability. The game’s unique blend of familiar mechanics from other games, such as Power Grid and Dominion, makes it a standout addition to any board game collection. However, for those who prioritize component quality and art, Faiyum might be less appealing. Overall, it is a gem that offers a rich and engaging gaming experience.

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