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Colonialism (2013) Board Game

ByMichail

Colonialism is a board game released in 2013, designed by Harald Lieske. The game falls under the categories of bluffing, political, and post-Napoleonic themes. It involves players taking on the roles of colonial powers during the era of European imperialism, competing to expand their influence and control over territories around the world.

Game Components of Colonialism

  • Game Board:** 1 Mounted game board
  • Player Mats/Boards:** 4
  • Resource Cubes:** 63 colored wooden cubes
  • Influence Disks:** 153 colored wooden disks
  • Ships:** 12 colored wooden ships
  • Influence Cards:** 96 cards (7 Action cards, 17 Policy cards per player)
  • Economic Influence Cards:** 12
  • Region Order Tiles:** 6
  • Region Limit Tiles:** 18
  • Game Turn Tokens:** 2 wooden tokens
  • Dice:** 4 custom dice
  • Other:** Material bag, rules booklet, 4 player aids, box and lid set.

    How To Setup Colonialism

    Setting up Colonialism involves preparing the game board, distributing the player mats, and shuffling the influence cards. Each player receives a set of 24 influence cards and places their ships and influence disks on the board according to the starting rules. The region order tiles and limit tiles are also placed on the board to define the areas of influence. Players familiarize themselves with the action and policy cards, which are crucial for gameplay.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Game Turns:** Played in rounds with Action Rounds as the core.
  • Actions:**
    – Draw 3 cards
    – Move a ship
    – Withdraw influence discs
    – Explore a region
    – Play an influence card

  • Influence Cards:**
    – Action cards: Played and resolved immediately.
    – Policy cards: Played face down, resolved at the end of the next colonization phase.

  • Objective:** Gain influence in unindustrialized regions to extract resources and accumulate wealth.

    Player Experience

    Colonialism offers a swift and engaging gameplay experience with minimal downtime. Players must manage their influence cards carefully, balancing immediate actions with long-term strategies. The game’s bluffing and suspense elements, due to the face-down policy cards, add a layer of complexity and excitement. With short individual turns, the game scales well for 2 to 4 players.

    Pros

  • Engaging Mechanics:** Bluffing and suspense through the use of face-down policy cards.
  • Short Turns:** Minimal downtime, making the game swift and engaging.
  • Scalability:** Suitable for 2 to 4 players.
  • Historical Theme:** A serious, abstract look at the dark chapter of colonialism.

    Cons

  • Complexity:** While not overly complex, it still requires strategic thinking.
  • Solitaire Suitability:** Low, not designed for solo play.

    Personal Thoughts on Colonialism

    Colonialism is ideal for players interested in historical themes and strategic gameplay. It offers a unique blend of card management, area control, and resource extraction, making it appealing to those who enjoy games like *Puerto Rico* or *Mombasa*. However, it is important to note that the game’s theme, while serious and abstract, may still evoke strong emotions due to its portrayal of colonialism. Thus, it is best suited for players who can appreciate the historical context and are looking for a challenging yet thought-provoking experience.

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    • 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

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