Broken and Beautiful: A Game About Kintsugi (2023) Board Game

Broken and Beautiful: A Game About Kintsugi is a board game designed by Patrick Rauland and published by Left Justified Studio. It is set to be released in 2023 and is a game that focuses on the Japanese art of Kintsugi, which is the art of repairing broken pottery with gold or silver lacquer.

Game Components of Broken and Beautiful: A Game About Kintsugi

Cards: Representing various types of pottery such as bowls, plates, cups, and jars.

Gold Tokens: Used for repairing broken pottery.

Rulebook: Multi-fold, with clear font and iconography.

Player Boards or Cheat Sheets: To track players’ collections and repairs.

How To Setup Broken and Beautiful: A Game About Kintsugi

Setup involves shuffling the card deck and dealing a certain number of cards to each player. The remaining cards are placed face down in a draw pile. Two face-up cards are drawn to determine which types of pottery will be broken in the first round. Players then participate in a “snake draft” to select their initial cards.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Set Collection: Players collect sets of pottery cards.

Drafting: Players select cards through a snake draft process.

Breakage and Repair: Cards can be broken based on the face-up cards drawn, and players can use gold tokens to repair them.

Scoring: Repaired items gain additional scoring benefits, making them more valuable.

Strategy: Players must balance collecting cards, selling them for gold, and strategically breaking or repairing items to maximize scores.

Player Experience

**Broken and Beautiful** offers a lightweight yet strategic gaming experience. Players engage in multiple rounds of drafting and set collection, with the twist of breakage and repair adding a unique layer of strategy. The game requires players to keep an eye on their opponents’ collections and make tactical decisions about when to collect, sell, or repair items. The artwork is praised for its beauty and thematic relevance, enhancing the overall player experience.

Pros

Unique Theme: Based on the Japanese art of Kintsugi, adding a cultural and aesthetic element.

Strategic Depth: Simple rules but complex strategy, making it engaging for both new and experienced gamers.

Beautiful Artwork: Cards and components are visually appealing.

Lightweight: Easy to learn and play, fitting well as a filler game.

Cons

Rulebook Design: The multi-fold rulebook can be cumbersome.

Luck Element: Breakage determined by random card draws can introduce luck, affecting strategy.

Personal Thoughts on Broken and Beautiful: A Game About Kintsugi

This game is ideal for those who enjoy set collection and drafting mechanics with a unique twist. It is suitable for casual gamers looking for a lightweight yet strategic game, as well as experienced players who appreciate the depth of strategy involved. The game’s thematic tie to Kintsugi adds an educational and cultural element, making it a great addition to any board game collection.

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