Art Robbery (2021) Board Game

Art Robbery is a card game designed by Reiner Knizia and published by Helvetiq in in 2021. It is a game where players take on the roles of art thieves trying to steal valuable masterpieces. The game combines elements of hand management and take-that mechanics to create a fun and strategic gameplay experience.

Game Components of Art Robbery

Circular tokens representing different types of art (sculptures, paintings, sketches, and antiques) with scores ranging from 0 to 5

Some tokens have little white dots representing alibis

Deck of cards including numbered cards (0 to 5), Boss cards, Greedy Thief cards, and Guard Dog cards

Guard Dog figure

Player boards or areas for collecting tokens

How To Setup Art Robbery

To set up Art Robbery, each player is dealt a hand of five cards from the deck. The game is divided into four rounds, each representing a different art raid. For each round, a stack of tokens specific to that raid is placed faceup on the table. These tokens have numbers from 0 to 5 and some have alibis represented by white dots.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Card Play: Players take turns playing one card from their hand each turn.

Token Collection: Numbered cards allow players to take tokens of the matching number from the center or from another player.

Boss Cards: Require a player to have a 4 or 5 token to keep the Boss token.

Greedy Thief Cards: Allow players to take any token from the center.

Guard Dog Cards: Protect a player’s tokens from being stolen.

Alibi Management: Tokens with white dots contribute to alibi scores.

Game Objective

Collect the most valuable art tokens while managing alibis.

The player with the most points at the end of four rounds wins, but the player with the fewest alibi points is disqualified.

Player Experience

Art Robbery offers a fast-paced and interactive experience, with rounds lasting until all tokens are taken. The game is marked by a constant back-and-forth between players, with opportunities to steal tokens from each other. The Guard Dog figure adds a protective element, allowing players to defend their tokens. The game is designed to be light-hearted and fun, with moments of laughter and surprise, particularly during the final scoring when players reveal their collected tokens and alibis.

Pros

Light-hearted and Fun: Ideal for family game nights with a lot of interaction and humor.

Simple Rules: Easy to learn and teach, making it accessible to new players.

Quick Playtime: Games typically last around 20 minutes.

Strategic Depth: Requires balancing high-value tokens with alibi management.

Cons

Luck Factor: Some elements of luck in card draws and availability of tokens.

Chaos with More Players: Can become chaotic with more than three players.

Limited Complexity: May not appeal to players seeking more complex strategies.

Personal Thoughts on Art Robbery

Art Robbery is perfect for those looking for a light, fun, and family-friendly take-that card game. It’s an excellent choice for casual gamers and families due to its simple rules and quick playtime. The game’s balance between strategy and luck, along with its interactive nature, makes it a great addition to any game collection. However, players who prefer more complex or heavy games might find Art Robbery too simplistic. Despite this, Reiner Knizia’s design ensures that the game remains engaging and enjoyable, making it a hidden gem in the board game world.

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