Edo (2012) Board Game
Edo is a board game released in 2012, designed by Marko Fiedler and Claus Stephan. The game is set in the medieval period and focuses on economic aspects, challenging players to strategically manage their resources and make decisions to build their own Edo castle.
## Game Components of Edo
– **Player Boards**: Each player has a planning board for selecting and ordering actions.
– **Authorization Cards**: These cards allow players to select three different actions per turn.
– **Officials/Samurai**: Figures used to represent players’ actions on the board.
– **Resources**: Ryo (money), rice, wood, and stone.
– **Buildings**: Houses, trading posts, and castles.
– **Merchant Cards**: Influence the game economy.
– **Board**: Double-sided, accommodating 2-4 players.
## How To Setup Edo
To set up Edo, each player starts with 3 authorization cards, each allowing 4 different actions. The board is set up with random profit tiles in the cities and resource spaces. Players select their initial actions secretly and plan the order in which they will perform them. Each player must have at least one house in Edo to be eligible to win.
## Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
– **Action Selection**: Players secretly select three actions per turn using their authorization cards.
– **Actions Include**:
– Collecting Ryo and resources
– Building houses, trading posts, and castles
– Deploying samurai
– Traveling to Edo
– **Action Execution**: Players reveal and execute their actions in the order planned.
– **Resource Management**: Players manage Ryo, rice, and other resources to maintain their samurai and build structures.
– **Objective**: The goal is to accumulate the most power points by building structures, having samurai on the board, and holding Ryo. A player must have at least one house in Edo to win.
## Player Experience
Edo offers a unique blend of economic management and strategic planning. Players must balance their resource collection, building development, and samurai deployment to maximize their power points. The game’s use of programmed actions adds a layer of complexity and requires players to think ahead.
### Pros
– **Unique Action Mechanism**: Secretly planning and executing actions adds a strategic layer.
– **Balanced Resource Management**: Managing Ryo, rice, and other resources is crucial and engaging.
– **Visual Appeal**: The game board and components are well-designed and visually appealing.
– **Engaging Gameplay**: The game is dynamic, with multiple paths to victory.
### Cons
– **Complex Setup**: The initial setup and rules can be somewhat complex for new players.
– **Lengthy Game**: The game can take around 60 minutes, which may be too long for some players.
– **Strategic Depth**: While engaging, the game may overwhelm new players due to its depth.
## Personal Thoughts on Edo
Edo is ideal for fans of economic and strategy games who enjoy planning and resource management. It is suitable for players who appreciate a game that requires strategic thinking and forward planning. However, it may not be the best fit for those seeking a quick or casual gaming experience.
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