Australia (2005) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Australia is a board game that was released in in 2005. Designed by Harald Lieske, this game is set in the vast and beautiful landscapes of Australia, where players take on the role of adventurers exploring the country. The game features elements of aviation, flight, and exploration, making it an exciting and immersive experience for players.

Game Components of Australia

Airplane tokens

Ranger tokens

Player boards

Industrialisation and conservation tiles

Cards for money and Ranger placement

Windmill and Ranger Tracks

Dollar tokens

Scoreboard

How To Setup Australia

To set up the game, each player receives an airplane, one or more Rangers, a player board, and two cards from the shuffled deck. Industrialisation and conservation tiles are randomly placed in each of the 24 regions, with the conservation tiles facedown.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Dice rolling: Not used; instead, players use cards and strategic movement.

Resource management: Managing Rangers and money.

Area control: Placing Rangers in regions to industrialize or conserve.

Strategic planning: Planning moves to maximize scores.

Game Objective

The objective is to score the highest points by industrializing and conserving regions. Players can fly to regions, play cards to collect money or place Rangers, and move Rangers off the board. The game ends when the deck of cards is exhausted, and the player with the most points, including remaining dollars, wins.

Player Experience

Playing Australia involves a mix of strategic planning and tactical execution. Players need to balance their efforts between industrializing regions for immediate benefits and conserving areas for long-term points. The game requires good planning and flexibility, as players must adapt to the tiles and cards drawn.

Pros

Well-thought-out design: Praised for its strategic depth and fun gameplay.

Good components: The game includes high-quality, visually appealing components.

Variable gameplay: Each game can be different due to the random placement of tiles and cards.

Awards and recognition: Named “Game of the Year” by Games Magazine in 2006 and a finalist for several awards.

Cons

Limited player interaction: Players cannot directly influence their opponents’ moves.

Increasing complexity with more players: The game becomes more abstract and waiting times increase with more players.

Luck factor: The draw of cards and tiles can significantly impact the game.

Personal Thoughts on Australia

Australia is best suited for players who enjoy strategic planning, detailed gameplay, and a bit of luck. It is ideal for those who appreciate games that require thoughtful moves and long-term strategy. While it can be enjoyed by 2-5 players, the optimal number of players is often considered to be three, as this balance provides the best mix of strategy and interactive gameplay.

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