Agricola (2007) – Board Game Guys

Agricola

Agricola is a Euro-style board game created by Uwe Rosenberg. It was first published in 2007 by Lookout Games and later by Z-Man Games. The game is set in the 17th century and players take on the role of farmers who must manage their resources and expand their farms to feed their families.

Why is Agricola Popular?

Agricola is a popular game due to its unique Gameplay Mechanics of Agricola and focus on resource management. It has won many gaming awards, including the Deutschen Spiele Preises Game. It was also the game that ended Puerto Rico’s run of more than five years as the highest-rated game on the board game website BoardGameGeek, staying at the top of the rankings between September 2008 and March 2010. As of September 2021, Agricola is ranked 34th among all board games on BoardGameGeek.

Game Components of Agricola

9 game boards: Including action boards and player farm boards.

138 wooden resources: For building and farming.

36 food markers: To track food consumption.

54 wooden animals: Representing livestock.

25 wooden person markers: For family members.

75 wooden fences: For pastures.

20 wooden stables: For animal housing.

24 house tiles: For home expansion.

33 plowed field tiles: For agriculture.

360 cards: Including Occupation and Minor Improvement cards.

1 score pad & 1 rule book: For scoring and rules.

How To Setup Agricola

Setting up Agricola involves preparing the various boards and components. Each player receives a personal farm board with two initial rooms reserved for their starting dwelling. The game includes three main action boards that display possible actions, and a fourth board for major improvement cards. Players also receive family members, stables, and fences. The game requires a large table to accommodate all the boards and components. Players must be able to access their farm boards and the action boards easily, with additional space for storage and resource management.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Worker Placement: Players place family members on action spaces to perform tasks such as plowing fields, sowing crops, and breeding animals.

Resource Management: Managing resources like wood, clay, and food to sustain the family and improve the farm.

Farm Expansion: Expanding the farm by building rooms, plowing fields, and fencing pastures.

Family Growth: Growing the family to have more workers, but ensuring they are fed.

Scoring: Points are awarded for developed plots, animals, and improvements. Penalties are given for unused farm spaces.

Player Experience

Playing Agricola is a dynamic and challenging experience. The game demands strategic planning and efficient action management, as players must balance feeding their family, expanding their farm, and optimizing their resource use. The game’s tension increases as the harvest cycles shorten, requiring players to be more efficient and adapt to the actions of their opponents. The visual aspect of the game, where players see their farm grow and change, adds to the immersive experience.

Pros

High Replayability: With numerous cards and variable actions, each game offers a unique experience.

Deep Strategy: The game requires complex planning and strategic decisions.

Immersive Theme: Players can see their farm develop and grow, enhancing the gameplay experience.

Cons

Steep Learning Curve: The game has many components and rules, making it challenging for new players to learn.

Time-Consuming: Games can last around 90 minutes, which may be too long for some players.

Personal Thoughts on Agricola

Agricola is a game tailored for advanced players who enjoy deep strategy and complex gameplay. It is ideal for those who appreciate worker placement mechanics and are willing to invest time in learning and mastering the game. The game’s ability to punish inefficiency while rewarding diversified and efficient strategies makes it a classic in the board game community. However, it may not be the best choice for casual gamers or those looking for a quick, simple game.

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