Aqua Mirabilis (2019) Board Game

Aqua Mirabilis is a board game that was released in 2019 and designed by Mario Barbati and Giorgio De Michele. The game falls under the category of Age of Reason and focuses on industry and manufacturing themes. With a runtime of 90-120 minutes, Aqua Mirabilis is meant for 2-4 players aged 14 and above.

Game Components of Aqua Mirabilis

Game board

Flower tokens (orange, bergamot, jasmine, lavender, narcissus, rose)

Scent tokens

Essential oil, fixative, and solvent tokens

Apprenticeship and city tiles

Player boards

Worker tokens

Prestige point tokens

Lady tokens for social influence

Rulebook

How To Setup Aqua Mirabilis

To set up Aqua Mirabilis, players start by placing the game board in the middle of the table. Each player chooses a player board and places their worker tokens on it. The flower tokens, scent tokens, and other resource tokens are arranged according to the instructions in the rulebook. Apprenticeship and city tiles are shuffled and placed face down on designated spaces on the board. Lady tokens are also shuffled and placed within reach of all players.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics:

Action Points: Players use action points to perform various actions.

Area Majority / Influence: Players compete to influence the King and his Court.

Worker Placement: Players place their worker tokens to gather resources and perform actions.

Game Objective:

Transform flowers into scents and complete perfume recipes.

Develop knowledge and learn new techniques by studying and traveling.

Nurture social position among nobles and influence the King and his Court.

Score prestige points by presenting fashionable and original perfumes to the King and the Court.

The player with the most prestige points wins.

Player Experience

In Aqua Mirabilis, players take on the roles of perfumers in the Court of Versailles, aiming to create the most exquisite and novel perfumes. The game is a delicate balance of resource management, social maneuvering, and strategic planning. Players must master the art of processing flowers, mixing essential oils, and courting influential ladies to elevate their social status. The game’s theme and mechanics combine to create an immersive experience that challenges players to be both creative and strategic.

Pros

Engaging Theme: The game’s perfume-themed setting is unique and engaging.

Complex Strategy: Offers a deep layer of strategy with resource management and social influence.

Replayability: With various apprenticeship and city tiles, each game can be different.

Immersive Experience: The game’s setting in the Court of Versailles adds a rich historical and cultural context.

Cons

Complexity: May be overwhelming for new players due to its multiple mechanics and layers of strategy.

Length: The game can take 90-120 minutes to play, which may be too long for some players.

Learning Curve: Requires time to learn and master the various rules and strategies.

Personal Thoughts on Aqua Mirabilis

Aqua Mirabilis is ideal for players who enjoy complex, strategic games with a rich theme. It is particularly suited for those interested in historical settings and the art of perfumery. This game is not for casual gamers looking for a quick, light-hearted experience but is perfect for those who appreciate deep strategy and are willing to invest time in learning the game’s intricacies. If you’re a fan of worker placement and area influence mechanics, Aqua Mirabilis is definitely worth considering.

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