The Princes of Machu Picchu (2008) Board Game

The Princes of Machu Picchu is a board game designed by Mac Gerdts and released in in 2008. It is set in the ancient Incan civilization and players take on the roles of princes competing for power and influence in the city of Machu Picchu.

Game Components of The Princes of Machu Picchu

Game board featuring a map of Machu Picchu

Player pawns (princes)

Worker discs

Llama tokens

Goods (corn, cocoa, pottery, cloth)

Priest and virgin of the sun tokens

Scoring cards

Gold statues

Runner tokens for the mountain track

How To Setup The Princes of Machu Picchu

To set up the game, each player chooses a prince pawn and places it on the starting district on the board. Each player starts with a scoring card and a set of worker discs. The goods, llama tokens, and other components are placed within reach of all players. The mountain track is set up separately, with each player’s runner token at the foot of the mountain.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Mechanics

Worker Placement: Players assign their worker discs to various districts to produce goods or recruit priests and virgins.

Resource Management: Players manage goods (corn, cocoa, etc.) to perform actions.

Rondel Movement: Players move their prince pawns around the board, which acts as a large, irregular rondel.

Variable Player Powers: Scoring cards provide unique scoring opportunities.

Endgame Conditions: The game can end in two ways: either the Incans save Machu Picchu or the Spaniards discover it.

Game Objective

Incan Victory: Activate all priests and virgins to save Machu Picchu. The player who made the wisest sacrifices to the gods wins.

Spanish Victory: The Spaniards discover Machu Picchu. Players with the most gold get score multipliers (the player with the most gold triples their score, the second most doubles it).

Player Experience

Playing The Princes of Machu Picchu involves a delicate balance between preserving the Incan empire and the temptation of betraying it for personal gain. Players must strategically move their princes, manage resources, and recruit priests and virgins to either save Machu Picchu or accumulate gold. The game’s unique endgame conditions introduce a layer of uncertainty, as players must guess their opponents’ intentions and adjust their strategy accordingly. This constant maneuvering makes the game engaging and challenging.

Pros

Deep Strategy: The game offers a rich strategic experience with multiple paths to victory.

Variable Endgame: The dual endgame conditions add a high level of replayability and unpredictability.

Thematic Immersion: The game’s setting and mechanics effectively immerse players in the Incan Empire.

Scoring Card Variety: Secret scoring cards keep the game dynamic and ensure no two games are the same.

Cons

Complexity: While not overly complex, the game has a moderate weight (3.1 out of 5) that may deter casual players.

Length: Games can take between 60-90 minutes, which may be too long for some players.

Interplayer Interaction: While there is strategic interaction, direct conflict is limited.

Personal Thoughts on The Princes of Machu Picchu

The Princes of Machu Picchu is ideal for fans of strategy and economic games who enjoy a mix of resource management, worker placement, and variable player powers. The game’s thematic depth and the intricate balance between preserving the empire and betraying it make it appealing to those who enjoy complex, yet not overwhelmingly so, gameplay. It is suitable for players aged 12 and above and is best enjoyed with 2-5 players. If you’re looking for a game that challenges you to think several steps ahead while maintaining a engaging and unpredictable experience, The Princes of Machu Picchu is a great choice.

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