Couture (2023) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Couture is a card game released in 2023, designed by Allplay. It is a fashion-themed game where players compete to create the most stylish outfits. The game is suitable for players aged 11 and up, and can accommodate 3-6 players.

Game Components of Couture

Cards: Influence cards for bidding, fashion cards representing different looks and scoring criteria

City Dividers: For New York, Paris, and Tokyo

Magazine Covers: Scoring tokens

Brand Cards: With various symbols for scoring

Flop Cards: Outfits that didn’t work, leading to negative points

Athletic Symbols: For set collection and scoring

How To Setup Couture

To set up the game, each player receives a starting hand of influence cards. The game board is divided into three sections representing New York, Paris, and Tokyo. Each turn, new fashion cards are placed in each city. Players simultaneously make secret bids in each city using their influence cards to determine the picking order.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Simultaneous Auctions: Players bid in each of the three cities simultaneously to determine picking order.

Drafting: The player who bids the most in a city gets the first pick of the available cards.

Set Collection: Collect cards to complete sets for magazine covers and other scoring opportunities.

Notoriety: Gain more bidding power by collecting certain cards.

Avoid Flops: Minimize the number of flop cards to avoid negative points.

Objective: The player with the highest score after seven rounds wins, achieving the most fame in the global fashion spotlight.

Player Experience

In Couture, players take on the role of fashion models competing to wear the best designs and gain notoriety. The game is fast-paced, with each turn featuring three simultaneous auctions across different cities. Players must strategically allocate their influence cards to secure the most valuable fashion cards. The game’s theme is well-integrated with the mechanics, making it feel classy yet approachable.

Pros

Engaging Mechanics: Simultaneous auctions add a thrilling layer of strategy.

Quick Play Time: Games last only 20 minutes.

Beautiful Art: The game features gorgeous, evocative art reminiscent of fashion magazines.

Varied Scoring: Multiple ways to score points keep the game exciting and dynamic.

Cons

Limited Depth for Experienced Players: Some players might find the gameplay too light or repetitive.

Player Count: While the game supports 3-6 players, it is optimized for 3-4 players, where the experience is most balanced.

Personal Thoughts on Couture

Couture is an excellent choice for those who enjoy quick, strategic games with a unique theme. It is particularly suited for players who like auction mechanics and set collection but may not have the time for longer, more complex games. The game’s fashion theme and beautiful art make it appealing to anyone interested in fashion, while the gameplay ensures it remains fun and competitive for all players. However, experienced gamers looking for deeper strategic layers might find Couture a bit light.

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