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Blue Skies (2020) Board Game

ByMichail

Blue Skies is a board game released in 2020 that focuses on aviation, flight, economics, territory building, transportation, and travel. Designed by Todd Sanders and published by Rio Grande Games, it is a game that appeals to players who enjoy strategic gameplay and resource management.

Game Components of Blue Skies

  • Game board featuring 30 airports in 30 cities
  • 59 Demand cards
  • 100 Player airline gate markers (20 for each of 5 airlines)
  • 10 Airline score markers (2 for each of 5 airlines)
  • 5 Airline income track markers (1 each of the 5 airlines)
  • Airline score track markers (1 each of the 5 airlines)
  • 125 Passenger cubes (100 red, 25 green)
  • 1 Bag for the passenger cubes
  • 5 Airline Charter boards
  • 1 Score track board
  • 1 First player marker
  • Rulebook.

    How To Setup Blue Skies

    To set up the game, draw 5 airport demand cards to seed airports with passengers. Each of these airports gets a grey neutral local airline at the leftmost gate. Players then draw 3 demand cards each and add passengers to those airports. The game board lists the number of cards for each airport, helping players anticipate passenger demand. Each player starts with an airline board that includes a player aid and an income track. The passengers are drawn from a bag containing 100 red cubes and 25 green cubes, and distributed as evenly as possible among the gates at each airport.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

    Key Mechanics:

  • Area Majority:** Players compete to dominate regions by controlling gates in various airports.
  • Resource Management:** Managing passenger cubes and gate placement to maximize income.
  • Hand Management:** Players hold demand cards that influence passenger distribution.
  • Economic Engine:** Income is generated based on the number of passengers at a player’s gates.

    Game Objective:

    The objective is to accumulate points by placing gates in strategic airports, managing passenger distribution, and dominating regions. The game ends when a player reaches 100 points or places their twentieth and final gate. Points are scored based on passenger income and regional dominance.

    Player Experience

    **Blue Skies** offers a balanced mix of short-term point collection and long-term area majority strategies. Players must be reactive to the changing board situation while making long-term plans based on the demand cards they hold. The game has a deceivingly simple ruleset but requires strategic thinking to manage both immediate income and future regional dominance. Despite its plain-looking components, the game is functional and engaging, particularly for fans of Winsome Games and cube rail games.

    Pros

  • Quick Gameplay:** Games typically last around 49 minutes, making it a good fit for a quick play session.
  • Strategic Depth:** Combines short-term and long-term strategies effectively.
  • Multiplayer Compatibility:** Supports 2-5 players, making it a versatile option for various group sizes.
  • Educational Element:** Introduces players to the concept of area majority and economic engine mechanics in a straightforward manner.

    Cons

  • Repetitive Gameplay:** Some players find the game repetitive and bland.
  • Interface Issues:** Tracking area control can be slow and cumbersome due to the need to total gate values.

    Personal Thoughts on Blue Skies

    **Blue Skies** is ideal for players who enjoy middleweight Euro games with a mix of strategic planning and reactive gameplay. It is particularly suited for groups looking for a game that can be played quickly with multiple players. While it may not appeal to those seeking flashy components or highly complex rules, it offers a satisfying and engaging experience for fans of area majority and economic engine games. If you’re open to a game that balances short-term goals with long-term strategies, **Blue Skies** is definitely worth considering.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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