Cinque Terre (2013) Board Game

Cinque Terre is a board game that was released in 2013 and designed by Martin Hoffmann, Claus Stephan, and Mirko Suzuki. The game is set in the stunning Italian region of Cinque Terre, known for its colorful homes and picturesque coastline. Players take on the role of farmers trying to sell their produce in various villages, while also delivering goods to fulfill orders and earn points.

Game Components of Cinque Terre

Board: Features eight spaces, including three fields for harvesting and five villages for selling produce.

Produce Cards: Players use these to harvest and sell crops.

Produce Cubes: Wooden cubes representing different types of fruits and vegetables.

Truck Carts: Unique player tokens for moving around the board.

Starting Order Cards: Define initial objectives for each player.

Demand Dice: Determine the demand for different crops in the villages.

Player Tokens: For tracking progress and scoring.

How To Setup Cinque Terre

To set up the game, players start by placing the board in the middle of the playing area. The three fields are randomly seeded with produce cards, and each player chooses a truck cart and places it at the starting point. Each player receives a set of starting order cards, which outline specific produce orders they must fulfill. The produce cards are shuffled and placed face-up or in a draw deck. The demand dice are rolled to determine the initial demand for each crop in the villages.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Action Point Allowance System: Players have three action points per turn.
– Move the produce cart up to four spaces in a clockwise direction.
– Take a produce card from the tableau or draw deck.
– Harvest crops from a field by playing matching produce cards.
– Sell produce in a village.

Harvesting: Play produce cards to harvest crops from the fields.

Delivery: Move harvested produce to the villages.

Selling: Sell produce in the villages based on demand.

Objective: Earn points by fulfilling produce orders and becoming the most popular vendor in each village.

Player Experience

Cinque Terre offers a laid-back and calming gameplay experience, making it ideal for families, non-gamers, and casual players. The game features simple and intuitive rules, allowing turns to proceed smoothly and quickly. While it requires smart decisions and planning, it is not too complex, encouraging casual conversation around the table. The game’s accessibility and broad appeal make it a great gateway game, similar to Ticket to Ride or Kingdom Builder.

Pros

Accessible: Easy to learn and play, perfect for new gamers.

Relaxing: Laid-back and calming atmosphere.

Strategic: Requires planning and smart decision-making.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for families and non-gamers.

Quick Turns: Turns proceed smoothly and at a quick pace.

Cons

Lack of Depth: May not appeal to hardcore strategy gamers.

Limited Interaction: Primarily a solo affair with minimal direct competition.

No Blocking Mechanisms: No elements of blocking or stealing from other players.

Thematic Engagement: Limited thematic connection to the actual Cinque Terre region.

Personal Thoughts on Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is a wonderful introduction to the world of Euro games, particularly for those new to board gaming. It strikes a balance between simplicity and strategy, making it an excellent choice for families and casual gamers. However, it may not satisfy hardcore gamers seeking deeper strategy or more interactive elements. Overall, it is a great gateway game that encourages socialization and enjoyable gameplay without overwhelming complexity.

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