| | | | | |

Alma Mater (2020) Board Game

ByMichail

Alma Mater is a board game released in 2020 and designed by Acchittocca, Flaminia Brasini, Virginio Gigli, Stefano Luperto, and Antonio Tinto. The game is set in the Renaissance period and published by eggertspiele. With a mix of closed drafting, end game bonuses, hand management, tile placement, and worker placement mechanics, Alma Mater offers a strategic and engaging gameplay experience for 2–4 players.

Game Components of Alma Mater

  • Player boards** representing each player’s university
  • Masters (workers): 4-6 per player
  • Student tiles: 16 different students across four disciplines (math, medicine, etc.)
  • Professor cards: Grant once-per-round powers
  • Chancellor cards: Provide special abilities throughout the game
  • Book pieces: Represent prestigious books
  • Research track components**
  • Ignatius card deck: Used for automa in two-player games
  • Mid-game goals: Nine different goals for three sections of the board
  • Box insert: For storage
  • Rulebook**

    How To Setup Alma Mater

    Setting up Alma Mater involves several steps, including placing the main board, distributing player boards, and shuffling various decks such as the professor and Chancellor cards. Each player starts with a set of Masters and a starting Chancellor card. The game also includes mid-game goals that are randomly selected and placed on the board. The setup can be complex and time-consuming, often requiring consultation of the rulebook.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Worker Placement: Players use 4-6 Masters to take actions each round.
  • Resource Management: Manage resources to recruit students, hire professors, and conduct research.
  • Variable Player Powers: Chancellor cards provide unique abilities.
  • Mid-game Goals: Achieve specific objectives to gain additional benefits.
  • Game Objective: Score the most Prestige Points by strengthening the university’s reputation through research, publishing books, and recruiting top staff and students.

    Player Experience

    Playing Alma Mater involves strategic planning and careful resource management. Each round, players must decide how to allocate their Masters to maximize their Prestige Points. The game is highly replayable due to the variable components and mid-game goals. However, the complex setup and dense iconography can lead to analysis paralysis, especially for new players.

    Pros

  • High Replayability: Different combinations of professors, students, and Chancellors each game.
  • Engaging Theme: Managing a 15th-century university adds a unique and engaging theme.
  • Top-notch Components: The artwork, book pieces, and storage solutions are highly praised.
  • Variable Player Powers: Chancellor cards add a layer of strategy and diversity to each game.

    Cons

  • Complex Setup: Setup is time-consuming and requires frequent rulebook consultation.
  • Difficult Iconography: Icons on student tiles and professor cards can be hard to parse.
  • Analysis Paralysis: The numerous choices can lead to decision-making delays.
  • Long Playtime: Games can last between 90 to 150 minutes.

    Personal Thoughts on Alma Mater

    Alma Mater is ideal for experienced gamers who enjoy complex, strategic games with deep mechanics. It is not recommended for casual or new gamers due to its intricate setup and dense iconography. The game’s theme of managing a university in the 15th century will appeal to those interested in historical settings and academic prestige. If you’re looking for a game that challenges you with multiple paths to victory and high replayability, Alma Mater is a strong choice, but be prepared for a significant time investment.

    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. 

    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *