Big Top (2003) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Big Top is a card game released in 2003 by APE Games. Designed by Ray Mulford and illustrated by Alessandra Cimatoribus, this game is suitable for 3-6 players and has a runtime of about 60 minutes. It falls under the categories of Card Game and Educational, with a focus on hand management as the main gameplay mechanism.

Game Components of Big Top

Deck of cards

Circus tent board

Tokens

Rulebook

How To Setup Big Top

Place the circus tent board in the center of the play area.

Shuffle the deck of cards and deal a hand to each player.

Place the tokens within reach of all players.

Follow the setup instructions in the rulebook to determine the starting player.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

In Big Top, players take on the role of circus performers trying to put on the best show. They must strategically play cards from their hand to outperform their opponents and earn the most points. The game involves hand management, as players must decide which cards to play at the right time to maximize their score.

The objective of the game is to accumulate the most points by the end of the game, which is typically achieved by performing impressive circus acts and collecting tokens.

Player Experience

Pros:

Engaging gameplay that requires strategic thinking

Educational elements that can be fun for players of all ages

High replay value due to the variety of card combinations and strategies

Cons:

Limited player interaction, as the game primarily focuses on individual player performance

Learning curve for new players may be steep, especially for younger audiences

Personal Thoughts on Big Top

Big Top is a well-designed card game that offers a unique and entertaining experience for players. The build quality of the components is decent, and the artwork by Alessandra Cimatoribus adds to the overall theme of the game.

In terms of pricing and availability, Big Top can be found both used and new, with prices varying depending on the condition of the game. As for alternatives and similar games, there are other card games with similar mechanics, but Big Top stands out for its circus theme and educational elements.

Overall, Big Top is worth your time if you enjoy strategic card games and are looking for something different to add to your collection. It is suitable for players of all ages, but younger audiences may require some guidance to fully grasp the gameplay. Players who enjoy hand management games and are interested in the circus theme will likely find Big Top to be a fun and engaging choice.

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