Wendake is a board game released in 2017 by Placentia Games. Designed by Danilo Sabia and featuring artwork by Alan D’Amico, the game is set during the American Indian Wars and focuses on economic, farming, and fighting elements. Players take on the roles of Native American tribes competing for dominance in the Great Lakes region.
Game Components of Wendake
Player boards: Each player has a 3×3 grid of action tiles.Action tiles: Tiles depict different actions like hunting, fishing, trading, exploring, and farming.Action markers: Used to mark selected actions on the player board.Score tracks: Four scoring tracks (Ritual, Economic, Mask, and Military) that are randomly paired at the start of the game.Progress tiles: Used for upgrading actions.Turn order tokens: Determine the order of play for each round.Turn cards: Introduced in the expansion, these cards affect turn order and provide additional actions.
How To Setup Wendake
To set up Wendake, each player receives a player board and places their action tiles in a 3×3 grid. The score tracks are arranged above and below the main board, with randomly selected pairings of scoring criteria. Progress tiles and Advanced action tiles are placed nearby. Player order tokens are distributed, and a starting player is chosen. The game is ready to begin once these steps are completed.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Action Selection: Players select actions from their player board, ensuring the actions form a straight line (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) over three turns.Action Resolution: Selected actions are resolved, and markers are placed on the corresponding action tiles.Tile Rotation: Used tiles flip to their ritual action side and slide down the board at the end of each round, with new tiles added to the top.Upgrading Actions: Players can replace one of their standard action tiles with an upgraded version each round.Scoring: The game is played over 7 rounds, with final scoring based on the sum of the lowest scores from each paired scoring track. The player with the highest score wins.
Player Experience
Wendake offers a challenging and engaging experience, requiring players to balance various scoring tracks and plan their actions carefully. The unique action selection mechanism forces players to think strategically about which actions to take and when, as the tiles available change each round. The game’s asymmetric scoring and the need to maintain balance across different scoring areas add a layer of complexity and replayability.
Pros
Unique Action Mechanism: The 3×3 grid and the requirement for actions to form a straight line add a fun and challenging element.Asymmetric Scoring: Randomly paired scoring tracks ensure each game is different and requires balanced strategy.Replayability: The game offers a high level of replayability due to the changing availability of actions and the random scoring pairings.Thematic Depth: The game explores the traditions and everyday life of Native American tribes during the Seven Years’ War.
Cons
Complexity: The game’s mechanics can be complex for new players to learn.Rule Clarifications: Some rules, such as the placement of natives in longhouses, may need additional clarification.Luck Factor: The random selection of action tiles and scoring pairings introduces an element of luck.
Personal Thoughts on Wendake
Wendake is ideal for experienced board game enthusiasts who enjoy strategic planning and resource management. The game’s unique mechanics and thematic depth make it a standout in its genre. However, it may not be the best choice for casual or new players due to its complexity. For those who enjoy games like “Between Two Cities” and are looking for a similar challenge with a unique twist, Wendake is definitely worth considering.
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