Agricola (Revised Edition) (2016) Board Game

Agricola is a popular board game designed by Uwe Rosenberg that was first released in in 2016. The game has received critical acclaim for its strategic depth and replayability. The Revised Edition, released in 2016, includes updated rules and components to enhance the overall gameplay experience.

Game Components of Agricola

6 game boards

2 game board extensions

2 variant tiles

1 action field

23 “Wooden Room / Field” tiles

16 “Clay / Stone Room” tiles

44 food tokens

13 other markers

120 cards (including 7 Occupation and 7 Minor Improvement cards per player)

Approx. 270 wooden resources

1 score pad & 1 rule book

Player pieces and family member discs.

How To Setup Agricola

To set up Agricola, each player receives a personal farm board and the player pieces of one color. Players start with two family members, one for each room of their house. The action board is placed in the center of the table, and each stage’s cards are shuffled and arranged in stage order. Resources are placed on each accumulation space on the board. Each player also receives seven Occupation and seven Minor Improvement cards. The boards with the action spaces are placed side-by-side, with some spaces pre-printed and others to be filled by cards drawn from the stage deck.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Worker Placement: Players place their family members on action spaces to perform various tasks.

Resource Management: Managing resources such as wood, clay, reed, food, and livestock.

Card Play: Using Occupation and Minor Improvement cards to gain special abilities.

Harvest Phases: Feeding the family and managing resources during harvests.

Game Objective

The goal is to score the most points by developing your farm, feeding your family, and maintaining a balanced farm with crops, livestock, and improvements.

Points are awarded for developed land, livestock, and family size, while penalties are given for unutilized land and lack of certain farm features.

Player Experience

Playing Agricola feels like managing a real farm, with the constant need to feed your family and expand your farm operations. The game is challenging due to the limited number of actions available each round and the competition for resources. However, the satisfaction of building and managing a sustainable farm is rewarding. The game incentivizes diversification, as players lose points for underutilized land and missing farm features. The inclusion of Occupation and Minor Improvement cards adds a layer of strategy, allowing players to adapt and plan their farm’s growth.

Pros

Deep Strategy: Offers a complex and engaging gameplay experience.

High Replayability: The random draw of cards and varied player choices ensure each game is unique.

Thematic Immersion: The game’s theme and mechanics create a strong sense of farming and resource management.

Player Interaction: High interaction due to competition for resources and action spaces.

Cons

Steep Learning Curve: Can be overwhelming for new players due to the number of rules and strategies.

Resource Competition: The limited availability of resources can lead to frustrating moments when other players take the resources you need.

Time-Consuming: Games can be lengthy, especially for new players.

Personal Thoughts on Agricola

Agricola is ideal for experienced board game enthusiasts who enjoy complex strategy and resource management. It rewards players who can balance their farm’s growth, manage resources efficiently, and adapt to the dynamic game environment. While it may not be the best fit for casual players due to its complexity, those who enjoy worker placement and strategic planning will find Agricola highly engaging and rewarding. The revised edition’s streamlined experience and balanced card decks make it a great choice for those looking to dive into a classic game with a fresh twist.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.