Pingyao: First Chinese Banks (2017) Board Game

Pingyao: First Chinese Banks is a board game that takes players back to ancient China, specifically to the town of Pingyao during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The game focuses on the establishment and growth of the first Chinese banks, as players take on the roles of bank managers competing to become the most successful in the region.

Game Components of Pingyao: First Chinese Banks

Dice used as worker tokens

Game board featuring historical Pingyao settings

Player boards for individual resource management

Resource tokens (money, materials, etc.)

Building and development cards

Event cards

How To Setup Pingyao: First Chinese Banks

To set up the game, each player selects a player board and a set of dice. The game board is placed in the middle of the playing area, and the resource tokens, building cards, and event cards are distributed according to the game’s instructions. Each player starts with a certain amount of money and resources. The setup is designed to be straightforward, allowing players to quickly dive into the gameplay.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Dice-as-Workers Placement: Players use dice to perform various actions such as collecting resources, constructing buildings, and managing their finances.

Resource Management: Players must balance their resources to achieve their goals.

Building and Development: Constructing buildings and developing infrastructure is key to advancing in the game.

Event Cards: These cards introduce challenges and opportunities that players must navigate.

Game Objective: The goal is to accumulate the most wealth and influence by the end of the game.

Player Experience

Playing Pingyao: First Chinese Banks offers a engaging and strategic experience. Players need to carefully plan their actions, manage resources efficiently, and adapt to the challenges presented by event cards. The game requires a mix of short-term and long-term planning, making it appealing to fans of economic and strategy games.

Pros

Deep Strategy: The game offers a rich strategic layer with multiple paths to victory.

Historical Theme: The game is set in historical Pingyao, adding a unique and educational element.

High Replayability: The combination of dice rolls, resource management, and event cards ensures each game is different.

Engaging Mechanics: The dice-as-workers placement mechanic adds a fun and dynamic element to the game.

Cons

Steep Learning Curve: New players may find the rules and mechanics somewhat complex.

Lengthy Games: Games can take around 60-90 minutes, which may not appeal to players looking for shorter sessions.

Luck of the Dice: The randomness of dice rolls can sometimes feel unfair or unpredictable.

Personal Thoughts on Pingyao: First Chinese Banks

This game is ideal for fans of economic and strategy games who enjoy deep planning and resource management. It is particularly suited for players who appreciate historical themes and are looking for a game with high replayability. However, it may not be the best fit for those new to complex board games or those seeking quick, light-hearted gaming sessions.

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