Altiplano (2017) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Altiplano is a board game that was released in 2017 by designer Reiner Stockhausen and publisher dlp games. It is set in the high plateau of the Andes Mountains in South America, known as the Altiplano. The game focuses on economic elements and players must manage their resources efficiently to succeed.

Game Components of Altiplano

Player boards: Aesthetically pleasing and functional, with easy-to-recognize iconography.

Warehouses: Used for storing and organizing resources.

Action boards: Various spaces for different actions like mining, fishing, and trading.

Resource tokens: Representing resources such as food, wood, stone, alpacas, wool, cloth, jewelry, cacao, and glass.

Board extensions: Offer resource conversion at favorable rates, houses for bonus points, and boats for rare resources.

Container: Temporary storage for resources to reduce randomness and player frustration.

First player marker: A colossal cardboard alpaca.

How To Setup Altiplano

To set up Altiplano, players start by distributing the player boards, warehouses, and action boards. Each player begins with a set of basic resource tokens in their bag. The board extensions are placed in a market area, with the bottom one being the cheapest to buy and the top one being the most expensive. Missions and starting extensions are drawn to guide the players’ initial strategies. The game components are designed to be easy to recognize and functional, making the setup process straightforward.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Bag-building: Players draw resource tokens from their bag and plan how to use them on various action spaces.

Resource conversion: Use simple resources to produce more valuable ones.

Movement and planning: Players must be in the right space at the right time to optimize their actions.

Board extensions: Purchase extensions to gain advantages in resource conversion or bonus points.

Missions: Fulfill specific orders or fill rows in the warehouse to score points.

Objective: Score the most points by converting resources, fulfilling missions, and optimizing the use of board extensions.

Player Experience

Altiplano offers a smooth and engaging gameplay experience, particularly for regular board gamers. The game plays equally well with 2-5 players, though it is often preferred at lower player counts due to reduced player interaction and faster game times. The artwork by Klemens Franz is vibrant and natural, making the game visually appealing. The rulebook, while not perfect, becomes easy to understand once familiar with the game, making it simple to teach and learn.

Pros

Engaging theme: Set in the Andean high plateau, adding a unique and interesting backdrop.

Smooth gameplay: Once understood, the game flows seamlessly.

High replayability: Different missions and starting extensions make each game distinct.

Aesthetically pleasing: Wonderful artwork and functional components.

Suitable for various player counts: Works well with 2-5 players.

Cons

Rulebook clarity: The rulebook is not perfect and may require some clarification.

Initial complexity: May be overwhelming for new players due to the variety of resources and actions.

Less player interaction: Especially noticeable at lower player counts.

Personal Thoughts on Altiplano

Altiplano is ideal for fans of engine-building and bag-building games, particularly those who enjoyed Orléans but are looking for a fresh take on the mechanics. It is best suited for regular board gamers who can appreciate the depth and strategy involved. New players might find it challenging initially, but once they grasp the rules, the game offers a rewarding experience. The game’s unique theme and beautiful artwork make it a standout in any board game collection.

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