Founders of Teotihuacan (2022) Board Game

Founders of Teotihuacan is a board game released in 2022 by Board&Dice. Designed by Filip Głowacz, the game is set in the ancient city of Teotihuacan, located in what is now modern-day Mexico. Players take on the roles of builders, competing to construct the city’s iconic pyramid and gain the favor of the gods.

Game Components of Founders of Teotihuacan

Main two-piece market board

Individual two-sided player boards (symmetric and asymmetric sides)

Wooden cubes and discs

Large wooden meeple Architects

Cardboard tiles representing pyramid pieces, buildings, temples, temple tiles, masks, and more

Bonus discs

Scoring discs

Favour tokens

Sun and eclipse markers

How To Setup Founders of Teotihuacan

To set up the game, players start by choosing which side of their player boards to use (symmetric or asymmetric) and taking the corresponding components. Each player places their Architect meeple on the starting side of their board, sets their scoring disc to zero, and places a favour token on the lowest spot of the Pyramid track. The central market board is populated with building, temple, and pyramid tiles, and bonus discs are randomized and placed on available action spots. Players then place one of each color of pyramid tiles onto their player board, earning bonuses as they cover up certain spaces.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Worker Placement: Players place action disks on the market board to perform actions.

Tile-Laying: Building, temple, and pyramid tiles are placed on the player boards.

Resource Management: Players generate and use resources from their buildings.

Action Stacking: Actions can be strengthened by placing multiple disks on the same action space.

Game Objective

Construct buildings, temples, and a central pyramid to score the most points.

Manage resources to pay for temple and pyramid tiles.

Optimize tile placement to maximize scoring, especially considering the alignment of pyramid and temple tiles.

The game ends after a certain number of rounds (signified by an eclipse), and the player with the most points, determined by their tile placements and bonuses, is declared the winner.

Player Experience

**Founders of Teotihuacan** offers a complex yet streamlined experience, appealing to players who enjoy mid- to heavy-weight strategy games. Each turn is relatively simple: players choose an action space, take the corresponding action, and move their Architect clockwise on their board. However, the game’s depth lies in the intricate tile placement, resource management, and the need to balance short-term actions with long-term strategic goals. The personal rondel mechanism on each player’s board adds an extra layer of complexity and strategy.

Pros

Engaging Strategy: The game requires careful planning and optimization of tile placements and resource use.

Streamlined Play: Despite its complexity, the gameplay is relatively fast, with most games lasting under an hour.

High Replayability: The randomization of bonus discs and the asymmetrical player boards ensure different experiences each time.

Solid Design: The rulebook is well-written, and the game is easy to learn despite its depth.

Cons

Setup and Cleanup Time: The game requires significant time to set up and clean up due to the numerous tiles and components.

Limited Action Opportunities: Players have a limited number of actions, which can make each decision feel pressured.

Not for All: The game might feel dry or overwhelming for players who prefer lighter games.

Personal Thoughts on Founders of Teotihuacan

**Founders of Teotihuacan** is ideal for players who enjoy intricate strategies and are comfortable with mid- to heavy-weight games. It is a great option for those looking for a more streamlined experience compared to its predecessor, **Teotihuacan: City of the Gods**. While it may not offer an immersive theme for everyone, the game’s mechanics and depth make it a satisfying puzzle to solve, especially for fans of tile-laying and worker placement games. If you’re looking for a game that challenges you to optimize your actions and tile placements, **Founders of Teotihuacan** is certainly worth considering.

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