Bonfire is a strategy board game designed by Stefan Feld and released in in 2020. It is set in a fantasy world where players take on the role of druids trying to restore the sacred bonfires. The game features unique mechanics such as market, pattern building, point-to-point movement, set collection, solo gameplay, and tile placement.
Game Components of Bonfire
Main Board: Features various islands, a Great Bonfire area, and spaces for Specialist and Elder cards, Common Tasks, and the High Council.Player Boards: Each player has a semi-circular board for placing Fate tiles, Task tiles, and Novices.Fate Tiles: Rectangular tiles that generate action tiles when placed on the player board.Action Tiles: Used to perform various actions such as moving the ship, collecting tasks, and recruiting gnomes.Task Tiles: Representing tasks to be completed for victory points.Guardians: Wooden pieces that need to be moved to specific locations for points.Gnomes: Specialist and Elder gnomes that provide special powers or end-game points.Path Tiles: Used to create paths for Guardians to follow.Portals: Collected to facilitate Guardian movement.Resources: Custom-cut, brightly painted wooden pieces.
How To Setup Bonfire
To set up **Bonfire**, start by preparing the main board with the islands seeded with Quest tiles and Guardians. Place the Great Bonfire area with its corresponding tiles and spaces. Each player receives an Action Overview board, a Player board, Fate tiles, Offering tiles, a Score marker, a Ship, a Guardian, and Novices. Players place their Ship on the dock area and set up their personal boards according to the game’s instructions.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Action Selection: Players spend action tiles to perform one of several actions per turn, such as moving the ship, collecting tasks, recruiting gnomes, or lighting bonfires.Resource Management: Manage resources and action tiles to optimize actions.Fate Tile Placement: Place Fate tiles to generate action tiles, with bonuses for contiguous matching symbols.Task Completion: Complete tasks to light bonfires, earning points and triggering game-ending mechanisms.Guardian Movement: Move Guardians through portals to stand next to lit bonfires for points.Common Tasks: Fulfill challenging tasks for additional points and bonuses.Game Objective: The player with the most points, earned from lit bonfires, Guardians, portals, path tiles, and other criteria, wins the game.
Player Experience
**Bonfire** offers a deep and complex gaming experience, ideal for fans of strategic planning and resource management. The game is characterized by its many interconnected mechanisms, requiring players to think several steps ahead. With a playtime that can be quite lengthy, **Bonfire** challenges players to optimize their actions, manage resources efficiently, and make strategic decisions about which tasks to pursue.
Pros
Deep Strategy: Offers a rich and complex gameplay experience with many layers of strategy.High Replayability: Multiple paths to victory and random setup ensure high replayability.Engaging Mechanics: Mechanisms like Fate tile placement and Guardian movement add depth and engagement.Thematic Artwork: The game features rich, detailed artwork and custom components.
Cons
Steep Learning Curve: The game is not suitable for new gamers due to its complexity.Long Playtime: Games can be quite long, which may deter some players.High Interaction with Components: Managing numerous tiles, tokens, and pieces can be overwhelming.
Personal Thoughts on Bonfire
**Bonfire** is a game tailored for experienced gamers who enjoy optimizing strategies and puzzling over complex game mechanics. While it may not offer a strong thematic experience beyond its mechanical depth, it is a must-play for fans of Stefan Feld’s designs. Newer gamers may find the learning curve too steep, but for those who enjoy games like **A Feast For Odin** or **Patchwork**, **Bonfire** will be a delightful addition to their gaming collection.
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