Agamemnon (2016) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Agamemnon is an abstract strategy board game released in 2016, designed by José Daniel Cabrera Peña and Rocío Espín Piñar. The game is set in ancient times and focuses on area majority/influence and modular board mechanics. Published by Osprey Games, Agamemnon is designed for 2 players and has a runtime of 20-30 minutes.

Game Components of Agamemnon

Game Board: A double-sided board with a basic and a more complex setup.

Tokens: Each player has 15 tokens, including warriors, leaders, and special weaver tokens.

Warriors: Represented by spear icons indicating their strength.

Leaders: Identified by letters indicating their rank and strength.

Weavers: “Weft” and “Warp” tokens that can split or swap strings of fate.

String Tiles: Force, Strength, and Leadership strings, each with different victory conditions.

How To Setup Agamemnon

To set up Agamemnon, each player begins with their 15 tokens face down. The game board, which features a web-like structure of nodes and connectors, is placed in the middle. Players can choose between the basic and complex sides of the board. The basic side is recommended for learning the game, while the complex side, known as the Loom, offers up to 20 randomized setup possibilities.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Turn Structure: Players draw two tokens from their pool and place them on the board per turn.

Game Objective: Control the highest number of “strings of fate” by meeting the specific conditions for each type of string.

Force Strings: Won by the player with the majority of tokens connected to the string.

Strength Strings: Won by the player with the highest total spear count connected to the string.

Leadership Strings: Won by the player with the highest-ranked leader connected to the string.

Special Actions: Weaver tokens can split or swap strings, significantly affecting the game state.

Player Experience

Agamemnon offers a quick yet deeply strategic experience, with games lasting between 15 to 25 minutes. The game is highly engaging, with a simple draw-and-place mechanic that belies its strategic depth. Players must carefully plan their moves, as the placement of each token can significantly impact the outcome. The game can become very tense, especially towards the end, as players vie for control of the strings of fate.

Pros

Quick and Strategic: Games are short but require thoughtful planning.

High Replayability: The randomized setup on the Loom side of the board offers numerous variations.

Simple to Learn: The rules are concise, and the game is easy to pick up.

Deep Strategy: Despite its simplicity, the game requires careful consideration of each move.

Cons

Abstract Theme: The game’s abstract nature might not appeal to those who prefer strongly thematic games.

Potential for Deadlock: In some cases, the final turns can become less impactful if the board is already heavily contested.

Personal Thoughts on Agamemnon

Agamemnon is ideal for players who enjoy strategic, abstract games that are quick to play but rich in depth. It is particularly suited for those who appreciate games with simple rules but complex strategic possibilities. While it may not be the best fit for players seeking a strongly thematic experience, Agamemnon’s engaging gameplay and high production value make it a compelling addition to any board game collection.

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