Maui (2022) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Maui is an abstract strategy board game designed by Chris Quilliams and published by Next Move Games in in 2022. The game is named after the Polynesian demigod Maui, known for his trickster nature and adventurous spirit. In the game, players take on the roles of Polynesian tribes competing to earn the favor of the gods by building structures and collecting resources on the island of Maui.

Game Components of Maui

Player Boards: Each player has their own beach board with seven rows for placing towels.

Towels/Tiles: Each towel has three different patterns and must be placed matching at least one pattern with the previous tile.

Umbrellas: Eight umbrellas are randomly placed on the board, offering bonuses when covered.

Sand Dollars: Used as a resource to purchase towels from the market.

Sand Crabs (Expansion): Optional components that introduce additional challenges.

Pearls: Tokens that provide scoring bonuses.

Scoring Track: To track points earned from patterns and pearls.

Market Board: Displays available towels and their costs in sand dollars.

How To Setup Maui

To set up Maui, start by distributing the player boards and randomly placing eight umbrellas on each board. Each player places one random towel in the leftmost column of their board. The market board is prepared by placing six random towels in spaces, each with a cost in sand dollars. Each player receives one sand dollar, and the player who was last to the beach takes the first player marker. The scoring track is also set up according to the rules.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Pattern Building: Players place towels to match patterns, scoring points based on the matches.

Tile-Laying: Towels must be placed next to the previously placed tile, matching at least one pattern.

Resource Management: Use sand dollars to purchase towels from the market.

Risk and Reward: Place towels close to the ocean or under umbrellas for higher scores, but risk penalties for overlapping the board edges.

Bonus Collection: Cover umbrellas to receive pearl tokens or advance scoring markers.

Objective: The game ends when a player places their 13th towel. The player with the most points from patterns, pearls, and leftover sand dollars wins.

Player Experience

Maui offers a light and enjoyable gaming experience, making it an excellent choice for family game nights or as a filler game for more serious gamers. The game’s abstract nature and pattern-building mechanics provide a fun and strategic challenge. At lower player counts, the game becomes more strategic, while with more players, it becomes more tactical and reactive.

Pros

Engaging Theme: The Hawaiian beach theme is appealing and relaxing.

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

Strategic Depth: Offers a good balance between risk and reward.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players aged 8 and above.

Quick Playtime: Games typically last around 30 minutes.

Cons

Basic Components: The components are standard and not particularly standout.

Price: Comparable to more complex games like Azul, despite being less complex.

Not Unique: The pattern-building mechanics are similar to other games in the same genre.

Personal Thoughts on Maui

Maui is an excellent choice for those looking for a light, enjoyable board game that is easy to learn and fun to play. It is particularly suited for family gatherings or as an introductory game for new gamers. While it may not offer the complexity or production quality of some other games, its simplicity and thematic charm make it a great addition to any board game collection. If you enjoy pattern-building games but are looking for something less intense than Azul, Maui is a great option to consider.

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