Amalfi (2020) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Amalfi is a board game released in 2020, designed by Urabe Rocinante and 別府さい (Sai Beppu). The game is set in the Renaissance period and combines elements of closed drafting, resource management, worker placement, and solo gameplay. With a playing time of 120–180 minutes and suitable for players aged 12 and above, Amalfi offers a challenging and strategic gaming experience.

Game Components of Amalfi

Player boards

Wooden ships (acting as workers and resources)

Resource holds on the player boards

Cards representing various actions, resources, and historical figures

Double-layered boards

Artwork and historical names on cards and locations

Bread tokens (representing a form of currency)

How To Setup Amalfi

To set up the game, each player receives a player board and four starting ships. The boards are arranged with resource holds across the top, where ships will be placed to represent gathered resources. Cards and other components are shuffled and placed within reach of all players. Each player’s goal is to prepare their board by assigning ships to their respective holds and ensuring they have the necessary resources to begin their trading journey.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Worker Placement: Ships act as traditional workers, blocking spaces to prevent other players from taking those actions.

Resource Management: Ships represent resources and are used to gather more resources.

Action Points: Each ship allows for a specific action per turn, such as discovering new locations, gathering resources, or constructing more ships.

Card Play: Cards offer various actions, bonuses, and resources.

Game Objective

The objective is to accumulate points by collecting and trading resources, constructing monuments, acquiring artworks, and managing ships efficiently. Players need to balance resource gathering, ship construction, and action optimization to achieve high scores.

Player Experience

Playing **Amalfi: Renaissance** is a complex yet engaging experience. The game starts with a simple premise but quickly delves into intricate strategies and resource management. The multi-use ships can be confusing at first, but after a few rounds, the mechanics become clear and manageable. Players enjoy the challenge of finding combinations and solving resource puzzles, making each game session dynamic and engaging.

Pros

Deep Strategy: Offers a balance between complexity and accessibility.

High Production Value: Features beautiful artwork, double-layered boards, and wooden ships.

Replayability: Tons of combos and puzzles to solve, ensuring varied gameplay.

Resource Mitigation: Mechanisms like discarding cards for bread or pulling back ships for resources help mitigate luck.

Cons

Initial Complexity: The multi-use ships can be confusing for new players.

Steep Learning Curve: Requires several rounds to fully understand and master the mechanics.

Score Disparity: Experienced players can significantly outscore newcomers.

Personal Thoughts on Amalfi

**Amalfi: Renaissance** is ideal for fans of economic euro games and those who enjoy strategic planning and resource management. It is particularly enjoyable with three players, as it allows for a good balance of interaction and individual strategy. While it may not appeal to casual gamers due to its complexity, it is a gem for those who appreciate a challenging and rewarding gaming experience. Despite the potential for score disparities, the game’s beautiful production and engaging gameplay make it a delight to play, even for those who may not be the top scorers.

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