Agra (2017) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Agra is a board game that was released in 2017 by designer Michael Keller and artist Michael Menzel. It is published by Quined Games and falls into the category of Industry/Manufacturing games. The game is set in India during the rule of the Mughal Empire and players take on the role of wealthy landowners trying to expand their wealth and influence.

Game Components of Agra

Game board

Player boards

Resource tokens (food, wood, stone, etc.)

Worker tokens

Building tiles

Market tiles

Various other tokens for tracking progress and resources

How To Setup Agra

To set up Agra, start by placing the game board in the middle of the playing area. Each player selects a player board and places it within reach. Shuffle and distribute the building tiles, market tiles, and other components according to the rules outlined in the manual. Each player starts with a set of worker tokens and a limited number of resources. The game requires careful initial placement to ensure a balanced start for all players.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Resource Management: Manage resources such as food, wood, and stone.

Worker Placement: Place worker tokens to perform various actions like gathering resources, building, or trading.

Economic Engine Building: Build and upgrade buildings to improve resource production and processing.

Market Interactions: Exchange resources and goods in the market to fulfill demands.

Objective: The goal is to accumulate the most points by efficiently producing, processing, and exchanging resources, as well as fulfilling market demands and building structures.

Player Experience

Playing Agra is akin to solving a complex puzzle each turn, as players need to find the most efficient combination of actions to maximize their progress. The game is dense and heavy, requiring multiple plays to fully grasp its depth. Each game is unique due to the random distribution of building and market tiles, ensuring no two games are the same.

Pros

High Replayability: No two games play the same.

Deep Strategy: Offers a rich and challenging strategic experience.

Multiple Paths to Victory: Allows for various strategies to win.

Engaging Puzzle-Solving: Each turn presents a new puzzle to solve.

Cons

Steep Learning Curve: Requires at least one play to understand the mechanics fully.

Long Playtime: Games can be quite lengthy.

Complex Rules: May be overwhelming for casual players.

Personal Thoughts on Agra

Agra is for experienced board game enthusiasts who enjoy deep strategic games with high replayability. It is not a game for the faint of heart or those looking for a quick, casual experience. If you relish the challenge of optimizing resource management, worker placement, and economic engine-building, then Agra is an excellent choice. However, it may not be the best fit for new players or those seeking a more relaxed gaming experience.

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