Almadi (2021) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Almadi is an abstract strategy board game that was released in in 2021. Designed by Victor Dulon and featuring artwork by Funnyfox, the game falls into the categories of Arabian, puzzle, and territory building. It is designed for 2-5 players, with a recommended age of 10 and up. The game revolves around chaining, connections, set collection, square grid, and tile placement mechanics.

Game Components of Almadi

Landscape tiles representing palaces, markets, oases, and other features

Ruby tokens

Goods and mosaic tiles

Caravan cards

Objective cards (crescent moons)

Character cards with special abilities

Genie tiles with unique actions

Player boards

Central market board with numbered rows

How To Setup Almadi

To set up Almadi, players start by placing the central market board and shuffling the Landscape tiles. Two tiles are revealed and placed along the rows numbered 1-4 on the central board. Each player selects a starting tile and places it in front of them, marking the beginning of their realm. The remaining Landscape tiles are placed within reach, ready to be drawn during the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Tile Placement: Players choose a Landscape tile from one of the rows on the central board and place it in the corresponding row in their own realm.

Action Activation: Tiles have icons or arrows; when a tile is placed, arrows pointing to icons activate those actions, allowing players to collect gems, goods, mosaics, and other items.

Genie Actions: Genie tiles enable players to move any previously placed tile to a new location, triggering new actions and effects.

Objective Completion: Players complete royal objectives and collect rubies, goods, and mosaics to score points.

Scoring: Points are awarded based on the landscape layout, rubies collected, activation of certain effects, and completion of royal objectives and character abilities.

Final Scoring: Players score points for palaces adjacent to oases or markets, groups of oases, connected caravan cards, and covered mosaics.

Player Experience

Playing Almadi is a delightful blend of simplicity and strategic depth. The game is easy to learn, with each turn involving the selection and placement of a tile, but it offers a rich tapestry of strategies and combinations. The genie mechanic adds a thrilling layer of complexity, allowing for dynamic rearrangements of the player’s realm. The game supports 2-5 players, with gameplay typically lasting 30-45 minutes. At lower player counts, the game is particularly engaging, with minimal downtime and ample opportunities for strategic planning.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it accessible to players of all ages.

Strategic Depth: Offers a high level of complexity and planning opportunities.

Genie Mechanic: Adds a fun and dynamic element to the game.

Colorful and Charming: The game features vibrant artwork and appealing components.

Character Cards: Provide asymmetrical powers, adding variety and replayability.

Cons

Analysis Paralysis: Higher player counts can lead to longer turns and more downtime.

Space Requirements: The game requires a reasonable amount of table space, especially with more players.

Objective Complexity: The end-game scoring can be complex and requires some mental math.

Personal Thoughts on Almadi

Almadi is a gem for fans of tile-laying and puzzle games. It is ideal for those who enjoy strategic planning and combinatory gameplay. While it is accessible to younger players due to its simplicity, it also offers enough depth to keep experienced gamers engaged. For competitive groups, the game’s passive player interaction and occasional objective stealing mechanics add a fun layer of competition. Overall, Almadi is a fantastic addition to any board game collection, offering a unique and enjoyable gaming experience.

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