Anasazi (2006) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Anasazi is a board game that was released in 2006 and designed by Franz Vohwinkel. It is set in the American West during the time of the Ancestral Puebloans, also known as the Anasazi. Players take on the roles of explorers discovering ancient civilizations and competing to build the most successful settlements.

Game Components of Anasazi

Large cardboard mesa tokens with pueblos marked on them

Six start tiles

Sixteen small towers with hidden colors (red, yellow, blue, or white)

Colored treasure cubes

Bonus treasure cubes of each type

Scoring track for different colors

Mission cards denoting different colors

Seven camp tokens per player

Expedition markers (long thin cardboard tokens showing a ladder and a little man)

How To Setup Anasazi

To set up the game, players first arrange the mesa pieces on the board according to the pattern shown in the rulebook. Six start tiles are placed in a circle around the outer mesas. The small towers are placed on pueblos with dividing lines, and random treasure cubes are placed on the other pueblos. Bonus treasure cubes and a scoring track are positioned near the board. Each player receives a mission card and seven camp tokens of their color, which they place between the mesas in the valleys.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Modular Board: The board is composed of interlocking mesa pieces.

Expedition Placement: Players extend expeditions using expedition markers.

Tower and Treasure Interaction: Players aim to steer expeditions towards towers and treasures that match their mission card colors.

Base Camp Placement: Players can place base camps to influence the direction of expeditions.

Objective: The goal is to collect treasures of the colors indicated on the mission cards while disrupting other players’ efforts.

Player Experience

Playing Anasazi is a unique and somewhat quirky experience. The game combines elements of dexterity and strategy, as players need to carefully extend expeditions and place base camps to achieve their goals. The game is known for its fast-paced and entertaining gameplay, although it lacks deep strategy. Players enjoy the interaction and the ability to sabotage other players’ efforts, making for a fun, if not always predictable, experience.

Pros

Fast and Entertaining: Games are quick and enjoyable to watch.

Interactive: Heated interactions and strategic sabotage.

Unique Mechanics: Combines dexterity and strategy in an unusual way.

Cons

Randomness: The game feels fairly random, which can be a turn-off for some players.

Artwork: The box art is described as drab.

Complexity: The unusual mechanics might be too odd for some players.

Personal Thoughts on Anasazi

Anasazi is a game that will appeal to those who enjoy unique and quirky gameplay mechanics. It’s ideal for players looking for a fast, interactive game that doesn’t require hours of commitment. However, it may not be the best fit for those seeking deep strategy or consistent replayability. If you’re a fan of Klaus-Jürgen Wrede’s other works, like Carcassonne, you might find Anasazi an interesting addition to your game collection, even if it doesn’t quite live up to the same level of acclaim.

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