Sentient is a board game designed by J. Alex Kevern and published by Renegade Game Studios in in 2017. It falls under the category of industry/manufacturing, math, and science fiction. The game has received positive reviews for its unique gameplay mechanics and engaging theme.
Game Components of Sentient
Player Boards: Customizable boards for each player to manage their robots and dice.Dice: Five D6 dice per player, used to fulfill robot card requirements.Agents and Assistants: Four agents and five assistants per player, used for influencing and procuring robots.Robot Cards: Five types of robots (Military, Service, Transport, Industry, Information) with different requirements.Investor Tokens: Tokens representing different industries, used for scoring multipliers.Victory Point Coins: Used for scoring points during and at the end of the game.Turn Order Marker: To track player order and turn progression.
How To Setup Sentient
To set up Sentient, start by shuffling and placing the Investor tokens face-up on the main board, with four robot cards face-up between them and a victory point coin underneath each Investor token. Each player receives a player board, four agents, five assistants, and five dice. The turn order is determined randomly, and each player rolls their dice to place them on their player board according to the matching color spaces.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Dice Manipulation: Players roll and place dice on their board to fulfill the requirements of the robot cards.Area Control: Players use agents and assistants to influence and control Investor tokens.Resource Management: Managing robots and dice to maximize scoring opportunities.Objective: The goal is to procure valuable robots, program them effectively using the dice, and attract the right investors to score the most points.
Gameplay Mechanics
Turn Actions: Players can either take a robot by placing agents and assistants or pass to clear the robot market and set up turn order for the next round.Scoring: Points are scored by fulfilling robot card requirements and controlling Investor tokens. At the end of three rounds, points are calculated by multiplying the number of Investor tokens by the number of corresponding robot cards.Turn Order: Passing determines the turn order for the next round, and ties in area control are broken by agent count and then by turn order.
Player Experience
Sentient offers a dynamic and tactical gameplay experience with an ever-changing board state. Players must constantly adjust their strategy based on the available robots and Investor tokens. The game requires mathematical thinking to optimize the placement of robots and dice. While the rules are relatively light, the game involves significant strategic depth, particularly in managing resources and anticipating future scoring opportunities.
Pros
Interactive Mechanics: Combines dice manipulation, area control, and resource management for a engaging gameplay experience.Strategic Depth: Requires players to think ahead and adjust strategies based on changing board conditions.Quick Rounds: The game is played over three rounds, making each game relatively quick despite the depth of strategy involved.Nice Components: Custom dice and well-designed player boards enhance the gameplay experience.
Cons
Ever-Changing Board State: Can be frustrating when opponents take desired cards or when the board is wiped clean.Mathematical Complexity: Requires players to constantly calculate and adjust their dice and robot placements.Limited Art Variety: The card art, while evocative, lacks variety, with all robots of the same type having the same art.Potential for Lengthy Turns: Players may spend a lot of time examining robot cards and considering their moves, especially in later rounds.
Personal Thoughts on Sentient
Sentient is ideal for players who enjoy strategic games with a strong tactical element. It is not suited for those who prefer games with a stable board state or those who are averse to mathematical calculations. The game is relatively rules-light but has a significant chunk of depth, making it a great choice for players looking for a challenging yet engaging experience. However, it may not be the best fit for family game nights due to its complexity and the potential for lengthy turns.
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