Alexandria (2017) Board Game

Alexandria is a board game released in 2017, designed by Vincent Dutrait and published by LudiCreations. The game is set in ancient times, where players take on the roles of explorers in the city of Alexandria, Egypt. The game combines elements of adventure, exploration, and strategy, making it an engaging and immersive experience for players.

Game Components of Alexandria

Game board

Player boards

Action cards

Library tiles

Treasure tokens

Fire tokens

Water tokens

Various markers and tokens for tracking progress and resources

How To Setup Alexandria

Setting up Alexandria involves several steps:

First, place the main game board in the middle of the playing area.

Each player selects a player board and places it within reach.

Shuffle and distribute the action cards according to the player count.

Prepare the Library tiles, treasure tokens, fire tokens, and water tokens.

Each player receives a starting hand of action cards and any other specified starting resources.

The game is ready to start once all components are distributed and the players understand their roles.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Asymmetric Gameplay: Players have different roles and objectives.

Hand Management: Players manage a deck of action cards.

Action Point Allowance: Players have a limited number of actions per turn.

Game Objective

The main objective is to save the treasures of the Great Library of Alexandria from impending doom.

Players must manage their actions to collect and protect treasures while dealing with fires and floods.

Each player has unique goals and playstyles that add to the game’s complexity and replayability.

Player Experience

Playing Alexandria offers a dynamic and challenging experience. Players need to strategize carefully, managing their action points and card hands to achieve their objectives. The asymmetric nature of the game ensures that each player’s experience is unique, adding a layer of complexity and replayability. The game requires a balance between immediate actions and long-term planning, making it engaging and intellectually stimulating.

Pros

Unique Asymmetric Gameplay: Each player has a distinct role and playstyle.

High Replayability: The combination of different roles and random events ensures varied gameplay.

Strategic Depth: Requires careful planning and resource management.

Thematic Engagement: The historical setting and goal of saving the library add to the game’s appeal.

Cons

Complex Rules: The game has intricate mechanics that can be overwhelming for new players.

Long Setup Time: Preparing the game components can take a significant amount of time.

Steep Learning Curve: Understanding the different roles and strategies can take several plays.

Personal Thoughts on Alexandria

Alexandria is ideal for players who enjoy strategic, complex games with deep gameplay mechanics. It is particularly suited for those who appreciate asymmetric gameplay and are willing to invest time into learning the rules. The game’s unique blend of hand management, action point allowance, and thematic engagement makes it a great addition to any board game collection, especially for experienced gamers. However, it may not be the best choice for casual players or those looking for a quick, easy-to-learn game.

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