Mundus Novus (2011) Board Game

Mundus Novus is a card game that was released in in 2011. Designed by Vincent Dutrait, the game takes players back to the Renaissance period where they act as merchants trading goods and building their own shipping empires. With beautiful artwork by Asmodee, Mundus Novus has gained popularity among fans of economic and nautical-themed board games.

Game Components of Mundus Novus

120 resource cards

44 development cards

90 victory point chits

6 event reminder chits

1 start player token

How To Setup Mundus Novus

To set up Mundus Novus, players need to shuffle and separate the two main decks: the resource card deck and the development card deck. Each player starts with a set of resource cards. The development cards are placed within reach of all players. The victory point chits and event reminder chits are also distributed according to the rules. The start player is determined by the start player token.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Resource Management: Players manage two types of cards: resource cards and development cards.

Card Drafting: Players draft cards from the resource deck to gather resources.

Development: Players use resources to play development cards, which provide various benefits and victory points.

Event Management: Event reminder chits introduce random elements and challenges.

Objective: The goal is to accumulate the most victory points by strategically playing development cards and managing resources.

Player Experience

Mundus Novus is praised for its quick and easy learning curve, making it a favorite among casual and experienced gamers alike. Games are typically short, lasting between 30-45 minutes, which adds to its appeal for those looking for a fun, strategic session without a huge time commitment.

Pros

Quick to learn and play

Strategic depth

Engaging gameplay

Short game sessions

Easy to teach new players

Cons

Some players may find the game too short or lightweight

Limited replayability due to the fixed decks

Random events can sometimes feel unbalanced

Personal Thoughts on Mundus Novus

Mundus Novus is ideal for players who enjoy strategy and resource management without the complexity of longer, more intricate games. It is a great addition to any board game collection, especially for those who appreciate quick, engaging sessions. However, players seeking deep, long-term campaigns or high replayability might find Mundus Novus less satisfying. Nonetheless, it remains a fun and accessible game perfect for a casual gaming group or family game nights.

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