Jericho (2006) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Jericho is a card game designed by Thomas Lehmann and published by ABACUSSPIELE in in 2006. The game is set in ancient Jericho, focusing on the biblical story of the city’s walls coming down. Players take on the roles of tribes trying to gain influence and power in the city.

Game Components of Jericho

Deck of wall cards

Deck of trumpet cards

Scoring cards

Player hands

How To Setup Jericho

To set up Jericho, players first build the draw deck by dispersing three scoring cards randomly throughout the deck of wall and trumpet cards. Each player receives a hand of cards. At the beginning of each round, each player adds a card to the supply pile, which is formed into a “disorganized heap.” This setup ensures that the game starts with a mix of wall-building and scoring opportunities.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Hand Management: Players manage their cards carefully, deciding which to play and when.

Set Collection: Players collect sets of wall cards to build long walls.

Take That: Trumpet cards allow players to disrupt opponents’ walls.

Game Objective: The goal is to have the most points by building the longest walls in each color and collecting scoring cards from the supply.

Player Experience

Jericho offers a concise yet frustratingly engaging experience. Players must balance building their walls with the constant threat of opponents using trumpet cards to shorten them. The game involves strategic planning, as players need to memorize which cards are in the supply and in other players’ hands to make informed decisions. Each round becomes increasingly challenging as players’ hands shrink, limiting their options.

Pros

Quick Playtime: Games last only 15 minutes.

Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it immediately playable.

Strategic Depth: Requires careful hand management and strategic thinking.

Interactive: Players can significantly impact each other’s progress.

Cons

Outdated Art: The game’s aesthetics are reminiscent of 2006 and may not appeal to everyone.

High Luck Factor: The random distribution of scoring cards and the use of trumpet cards introduce a significant element of luck.

Small Hand Size: As the game progresses, players have fewer cards to work with, which can be limiting.

Personal Thoughts on Jericho

Jericho is ideal for those who enjoy quick, strategic games with a competitive edge. It’s a great fit for families or casual game nights due to its short playtime and easy-to-learn rules. However, the game’s aesthetic and the high luck factor might not appeal to everyone, especially those seeking more visually polished or strictly strategic experiences. Despite its quirks, Jericho remains a fun and challenging game that can be enjoyed by a wide range of players.

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