Fendo (2014) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Fendo is an abstract strategy board game designed by Ludwig Gerhards and released in in 2014. The game is designed for 2 players and has a runtime of about 45 minutes. It falls under the category of Abstract Strategy games and features mechanisms such as Area Majority/Influence, Enclosure, Point to Point Movement, and a Square Grid.

Game Components of Fendo

Gameboard: A 25×25 cm solid beechwood board, treated with protective oils, featuring a 7×7 grid.

Pawns: Lacquered wooden pawns.

Fences: Small, skinny wooden fence pieces that fit into cut-out slots on the board.

How To Setup Fendo

To set up Fendo, start with an empty 7×7 board. Place two pawns on opposite sides of the board. The game is ready to begin with no other initial setup required.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Turns: Players take turns moving their pawns in a straight line with one optional right-angle turn per move.

Fence Placement: After moving a pawn, a player must place a fence in a groove adjacent to the moved pawn.

Area Enclosure: The goal is to create enclosed areas with exactly one pawn in each.

Scoring: The game ends when no more moves are possible. Players score points for the squares in the enclosed areas containing their pawns.

Neutral Fences: Fences are neutral and can be used by both players to enclose areas.

Player Experience

Fendo offers a deep and challenging experience despite its simple rules. As the game progresses, the board becomes increasingly complex due to the placement of fences, reducing the freedom of movement. This complexity requires players to think strategically and make calculated moves to outmaneuver their opponents.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Simple rules but deep strategy and tactics.

Aesthetic Quality: The game features a beautifully crafted wooden board and pieces.

No Draws: The game is designed so that there is no possibility of a draw.

Cons

Small Pieces: The fence pieces are tiny and can be finicky to handle, especially for those with larger fingers.

Choking Hazard: Not suitable for children under 3 years due to small parts.

Personal Thoughts on Fendo

Fendo is ideal for fans of abstract strategy games who appreciate games that require careful planning and strategic thinking. The game’s beautiful wooden components make it a pleasure to display and play. However, due to the small size of the fence pieces, it may not be the best choice for casual or younger players. Overall, Fendo is a challenging and engaging game that will appeal to serious abstract strategy enthusiasts.

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