Bali (2017) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Bali is a board game released in 2017 designed by Dennis Lohausen. It is a card game that falls under the categories of Economic and Hand Management, Open Drafting, and Stock Holding. The game is published by White Goblin Games and is suitable for 2-4 players, with a recommended age of 10 and above.

Game Components of Bali

Deck of cards featuring farmers (rice, peanut, banana, and pepper), priests, shrines, and stonemasons

Sacrifice cards (rice, peanuts, bananas, and peppers)

Starting deck of three farmers and one stonemason per player

Stones for each player based on turn order

Optional components from expansions like the Temple of Shiva (3D temple parts, towers, Shiva meeple, and victory point tokens)

How To Setup Bali

To set up the game, mix the deck of cards and display four columns of four cards each as the “offer.” Each player receives one of each type of sacrifice card and a starting deck of three farmers and one stonemason. Players also receive a few stones based on their place in the turn order. The remaining decks are separated and set aside.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card Drawing: Players take one card from the general display and reveal the card lying underneath.

Resource Management: Farmers collect goods (rice, peanuts, bananas, and peppers) which can be sacrificed when a shrine is built.

Priest Mechanic: Priests help with sacrifices and chase away demons.

Shrine Building: Building shrines pleases the gods and earns points.

Objective: The goal is to make the right decisions to please the gods and score the most points by sacrificing goods, building shrines, and utilizing priests effectively.

Player Experience

Bali offers a thoughtful and strategic gameplay experience, particularly appealing to fans of Klaus-Jürgen Wrede’s designs. The game is set in a mysterious and spiritually rich environment, where players must balance resource collection, shrine construction, and priest management to appease the gods. The addition of new variants, such as “The Demon” and “The Oracle,” adds variety to the gameplay.

Pros

Strategic Depth: The game requires careful planning and decision-making.

Thematic Immersion: The setting and lore of Bali create a rich and engaging atmosphere.

Variety: New variants and expansions, like the Temple of Shiva, add replayability.

Engine-Building: Players build their capabilities over the game, enhancing their chances of success.

Cons

Complexity: The game may be overwhelming for new players due to its depth and the need to manage multiple resources.

Luck Element: The draw of cards can introduce a significant element of luck, affecting player outcomes.

Component Quality: Some players might find the quality of certain components, especially from expansions, to be less than expected.

Personal Thoughts on Bali

Bali is ideal for players who enjoy strategic games with a strong thematic focus. It is particularly suited for fans of Carcassonne and those who appreciate engine-building mechanics. The game’s complexity makes it more suitable for experienced gamers, but the engaging theme and mechanics can also attract new players willing to invest time in learning the game. With its 45-minute to 1-hour playtime, Bali is a great addition to any board game collection for those seeking a thoughtful and immersive experience.

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