Welkin (2019) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Welkin is a board game released in 2019 that combines elements of fantasy and industry/manufacturing. Designed by Tohad and featuring artwork by Ankama, this game is set in a world where players take on the role of industrialists competing to dominate the market with their commodities.

Game Components of Welkin

Game board

Resource discs

Building cards

Market tiles

Player tokens

Coins

Wild cards

How To Setup Welkin

To set up Welkin, players start by placing the game board in the middle of the table. Each player chooses a token and places it on the starting space. The resource discs are arranged according to the initial market values, and the building cards are shuffled and distributed evenly among the players. The market tiles and coins are also prepared and made accessible to all players.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card Drafting: Players draft building cards to construct homes and buildings.

Commodity Speculation: Players manipulate the central market to determine resource values.

Resource Management: Players collect resources by flipping discs, which can either gain or lose value based on market fluctuations.

Objective: The goal is to earn the most money by building homes and managing resources effectively.

Player Experience

In Welkin, players engage in a dynamic game of market manipulation and strategic timing. The game features bright, colorful artwork and an elegant resource management system where flipping one resource disc can affect the availability of others. Players must carefully balance their resource collection with the fluctuating market values to maximize their earnings.

Pros

Great Artwork: The game boasts a very upbeat, bright, and colorful art style that enhances the player experience.

Elegant Resource Mechanic: The system of flipping resource discs to manage opportunity costs is clever and engaging.

Variable Market: The zero-sum market adds an interesting layer of strategy, requiring players to adapt quickly.

Low Rules Overhead: The game has simple rules, making it easy to learn and play.

Cons

Variance in Card Distribution: Using a subset of cards each game can lead to nondeterministic outcomes, making certain resources less common.

Chaotic Market at Higher Player Counts: The game can become more volatile with four players, which may not be as enjoyable for some.

Take-That Elements: The market manipulation can feel like a take-that mechanism, which some players may not prefer.

Personal Thoughts on Welkin

Welkin is a great option for those looking for a casual, strategically engaging game with a unique setting and beautiful artwork. It is particularly suited for players who enjoy games with variable markets and resource management. While it may not be the best fit for those seeking highly deterministic outcomes or preferring less chaotic gameplay, Welkin offers a fun and challenging experience for fans of strategic building and market manipulation games.

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