Aquarena (2021) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Aquarena is a board game that was released in in 2021. Designed by Vidu and illustrated by Geek Attitude Games, it falls under the categories of bluffing, card game, deduction, and environmental. With a runtime of 20-40 minutes, Aquarena is suitable for 2-6 players aged 8 and above.

Game Components of Aquarena

1 Pond Board

60 Predator Cards (10 per color)

6 Frog meeples

1 Heron standee

21 Fly tokens

4 Round tokens

6 Value Twenty tokens

1 Score track

Rulebook (available in English and French).

How To Setup Aquarena

To set up Aquarena, the board is constructed based on the number of players. The pond tiles are arranged to form the aquatic arena. Flies are semi-randomly placed on the board. Each player starts with three random cards from their ten-card deck in their hand. The remaining cards are kept in a draw pile. The game is divided into four rounds, with each round consisting of three phases: Planning, Resolution, and Scoring.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Planning Phase: Players take turns placing one card from their hand on the edge of a water tile, discarding a card face down, and drawing two new cards.

Resolution Phase: Face-down predator cards are revealed and resolved in ascending order based on their resolution numbers. Predators eat prey according to their eating quantities and specific conditions.

Scoring Phase: Points are awarded based on the number of flies, opposing insects, amphibians, and fish eaten. The higher in the food chain the prey is, the more points it grants.

Game Objective: The player with the most points after four rounds wins.

Player Experience

Aquarena offers a dynamic and strategic experience where players engage in bluffing and deduction. The game requires careful positioning of predators and anticipation of other players’ moves to maximize points. The short game duration keeps the excitement high, making it an engaging and quick play session.

Pros

Fast-Paced and Engaging: Lasts only 30-40 minutes, perfect for a quick game session.

Strategic Depth: Combines bluffing and deduction for a challenging yet fun experience.

Simple to Learn: Easy rules but deep gameplay mechanics.

High Replayability: Different card combinations ensure varied gameplay each time.

Cons

Confrontational Aspect: Strong take-that elements may not appeal to all players.

Card Quality: The cards are thin and may require sleeving for durability.

Personal Thoughts on Aquarena

Aquarena is ideal for players who enjoy strategic bluffing games with a touch of deduction. It is suitable for families and casual gamers due to its simple rules and short playtime, but it also offers enough depth for more experienced players. However, those who prefer cooperative or non-confrontational games might find Aquarena too devious. Overall, it’s a great addition to any board game collection for those who love a quick, tactical challenge.

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