Lutèce (2015) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Lutèce is a card game published by Origames in in 2015. Designed by Nicolas Sato, the game is set in the ancient Roman city of Lutetia. Players take on the roles of wealthy Roman patricians trying to gain influence and power in the city through strategic card play.

Game Components of Lutèce

Character cards

Building cards

Resource cards (beer, bread, swords, wine)

Coin tokens

Player decks with numbered and lettered cards

Market cards

How To Setup Lutèce

To set up Lutèce, each player chooses a color and takes the corresponding deck of cards. The deck includes numbered cards (1-5) and lettered cards (A-E), which correspond to characters and buildings in the market. Each player starts with six coins. If playing with fewer than five players, unused cards are removed.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics:

Card Drafting

Hand Management

Set Collection

Simultaneous Action Selection

Objective:

The goal is to have the majority of four resources: beer, bread, swords, and wine. Players buy character and building cards from a central market to collect these resources. The player with the majority of a resource receives 10 points at the end of the round, the second place receives 4 points, and the last place receives no points. Players can increase their bid on cards by placing coins, but if two players tie, the card is discarded. Unselected cards in the market gain coins, making them more attractive in subsequent rounds.

Player Experience

Lutèce is a game of strategic bidding and resource management. Players must balance their bids to acquire the resources they need while keeping an eye on their opponents’ moves. The game is simple to learn but requires careful planning to avoid losing resources and coins to other players. The dynamic of bidding and the increasing value of unselected cards add a layer of complexity and excitement.

Pros

Easy to learn and teach

Strategic depth in bidding and resource management

Interactive gameplay with simultaneous action selection

Varied card effects and resource collection

Cons

Potential for a runaway leader due to lucky bids

Can be frustrating if players consistently lose bids

Limited player interaction beyond bidding

Personal Thoughts on Lutèce

Lutèce is ideal for players who enjoy strategic card games with a blend of luck and planning. It suits those who appreciate games like 7 Wonders, given its similar mechanics. However, players who prefer direct interaction or are easily frustrated by elements of luck may find it less appealing. Overall, Lutèce offers a engaging and challenging experience for fans of card drafting and set collection games.

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