Fuji is a cooperative dice game designed by Wolfgang Warsch and released in in 2018. In this game, players work together to escape a volcanic eruption on Mount Fuji by communicating and strategizing effectively.
Game Components of Fuji
Character cards: Each player gets a character card indicating their color and a skill card outlining their special ability, number of dice, and starting equipment cards.Dice: Players roll their allotted dice behind screens.Terrain cards: These include rubble cards, landscape cards, and village cards, set up according to a scenario card.Equipment cards: Used to assist with dice rolls.Stamina board and tokens: Track players’ stamina levels.Lava and eruption tokens: Represent the advancing lava and additional eruptions.Player screens: For secret dice rolling, though some reviewers found them not tall enough to hide the dice properly.Scenario cards: Seven different layouts for varied gameplay.
How To Setup Fuji
To set up Fuji, start by drawing a scenario card, which determines the layout of the terrain cards from the volcano to the village. Each player chooses or is randomly given a character card and a skill card, indicating their special abilities and starting equipment. Players place their pawns on the starting card and set their stamina markers on the stamina board. The game includes setting up the terrain cards according to the scenario, placing equipment tokens and volcano eruption tokens as specified.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Cooperative gameplay: Players work together to escape the volcano.Limited communication: Players roll dice behind screens and can only communicate vaguely about their rolls.Dice rolling: Simultaneous secret dice rolling behind screens.Movement: Players move based on their dice totals compared to their neighbors.Equipment usage: Players can use equipment cards to assist with their rolls.Stamina management: Players lose stamina if they fail to move or if their neighbors have higher totals.Lava advancement: The lava moves closer to the village each round.Objective: All players must reach the village safely before the lava catches up or any player runs out of stamina.
Player Experience
Playing Fuji involves a mix of strategy, teamwork, and luck. Players must carefully consider their dice rolls and communicate effectively with their teammates to ensure everyone moves safely away from the lava. The game encourages self-sacrifice and teamwork, as players need to balance their own progress with helping teammates who are farther behind. The varying scenario cards and random equipment distribution add high replay value, making each game unique.
Pros
High replay value: Seven different scenario cards and random equipment distribution.Engaging teamwork: Encourages strategic communication and self-sacrifice.Beautiful art: Weberson Santiago’s artwork enhances the theme.Unique mechanics: Combines dice rolling with limited communication for a challenging cooperative experience.
Cons
Component issues: Player screens are not tall enough, and terrain cards can be difficult to manipulate.Frustrating communication: Some players may find the limited communication rules frustrating.Lack of exciting moments: Compared to other cooperative games, Fuji may lack frequent exciting moments.Theme mismatch: The theme does not perfectly align with the game mechanics.
Personal Thoughts on Fuji
Fuji is ideal for fans of cooperative games and those who enjoy strategic communication and teamwork. It is particularly suited for groups who appreciate the challenge of balancing individual progress with the need to support teammates. While it may have some component issues and frustrations with communication, the game’s unique mechanics and high replay value make it a compelling addition to any board game collection. If you’re looking for a game that tests your ability to work together under pressure, Fuji is definitely worth a try.
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