| | | | | | | |

Colony (2016) Board Game

ByMichail

Colony is a board game released in 2016 by designer Ollin Timm and published by Bézier Games. It falls into the categories of Card Game, Dice, and Science Fiction, incorporating deck, bag, and pool building, dice rolling, and trading mechanics. The game is designed for 1-4 players, with the best gameplay experience recommended for 3 players. With a runtime of 45-60 minutes and an age recommendation of 13+, Colony offers a strategic and immersive gameplay experience.

Game Components of Colony

  • Dice: Stable (white) and unstable (grey) dice representing different resources.
  • Cards: Basic cards (e.g., GMO Farm, Protein Lab), variable cards (28 different cards), and player cards (Construction, Upgrade, Supply Depot, Warehouse).
  • CHIPI tokens: Used to roll additional unstable dice.
  • Scoreboard** and **score markers**.
  • Player boards** and **warehouse cards**.

    How To Setup Colony

    To set up Colony, each player selects a color and takes their four starting cards with the white side face up. Place all white and grey dice, CHIPI tokens, and the scoreboard within reach. Lay out the six Basic cards and seven unique variable cards chosen randomly or using the Colony setup app. Each player rolls three white dice and places them in their warehouse. The game starts once a starting player is selected.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

    Mechanics

  • Dice Drafting: Players roll dice and draft them in a specific order.
  • Resource Management: Managing stable and unstable resources.
  • Engine Building: Constructing and upgrading buildings to enhance resource production and manipulation.
  • Card Activation: Using cards to exchange resources, build new cards, and upgrade existing ones.

    Game Objective

    The goal is to be the first player to reach a predetermined number of victory points (15 in a 4-player game, 16 in a 3-player game, and 20 in a 2-player game) by constructing and upgrading buildings.

    Player Experience

    In Colony, players are leaders of post-apocalyptic colonies, using scarce resources to build up their infrastructure. The game revolves around rolling dice, drafting resources, and activating cards to build and upgrade buildings. Players must manage both stable and unstable resources, mitigate bad luck through various card abilities, and strategize to create an efficient engine for resource production. The game is dynamic, with each turn offering multiple choices and opportunities to adapt to the resources available.

    Pros

  • Engaging Theme: A compelling post-apocalyptic setting that adds depth to the gameplay.
  • Dice Drafting Mechanic: Ensures strategic resource management and reduces luck.
  • Upgrade System: Allows players to improve their cards, making the game progressively more engaging.
  • High Replayability: With 28 variable cards, there are over 1 million possible card combinations.
  • Balanced Luck and Strategy: Mechanisms to mitigate bad luck, making it a strategic game with some randomness.

    Cons

  • Initial Luck Factor: Early turns can be heavily influenced by dice rolls.
  • Complexity in Decision-Making: Many options can lead to indecision and longer turns.
  • Theme Integration: Some players might find the theme not fully integrated into the gameplay mechanics.

    Personal Thoughts on Colony

    Colony is ideal for fans of engine-building and resource management games, particularly those who enjoy games like Dominion and Machi Koro. The game’s strategic depth, combined with its dynamic dice drafting mechanic, makes it appealing to players who like to balance luck with strategic planning. However, it may not be the best fit for those who dislike dice games or prefer games with minimal randomness. Overall, Colony offers a challenging and rewarding experience for players looking to rebuild their post-apocalyptic colonies efficiently.

    We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more. 

    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *