Cairo (2002) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Cairo is a board game released in 2002, designed by Björn Pertoft and published by Schmidt Spiele. It is a action/dexterity game that involves dice rolling and is suitable for 2-5 players, with a recommended age of 8 and above.

Game Components of Cairo

Game board featuring a Cairo market

Customer tokens

Stall tiles

Colored cards for resource management

Coins

Barker cards

Restaurant and other thematic tiles

How To Setup Cairo

To set up Cairo, players first place the game board in the middle of the playing area. The board is divided into various zones, each representing different stalls in the market. Customers are randomly placed on the board, and each player receives a set of colored cards and coins. The stall tiles and Barker cards are also shuffled and placed within reach of all players.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Mechanics

Customer Movement: Players can move customers to the closest stall of its color.

Card Selection: Players can draw and keep colored cards secretly.

Stall Expansion: Players can expand or build new stalls using the colored cards.

Resource Management: Players manage coins and cards to optimize their stall placements.

Game Objective

The objective is to accumulate the most victory points by efficiently managing customers, expanding stalls, and collecting coins. The game ends when one of the expansion supplies for two different colors is completely exhausted or only one expansion remains.

Player Experience

Cairo offers a dynamic and engaging experience, similar to games like Ticket to Ride but with a unique theme. Players must strategically move customers, select cards, and expand stalls to maximize their points. The game is relatively fast-paced, lasting about 45 minutes.

Pros

Attractive Board: The game features a visually appealing board with 3D elements like umbrellas and palm trees.

Simple yet Strategic: Easy to learn but requires strategic thinking.

Unique Theme: The game’s setting in a Cairo market adds a fresh twist.

Good Component Quality: The tiles, cards, and coins are well-designed and functional.

Cons

Complex Stall Actions: Expanding and managing stalls can be slightly convoluted and take time to figure out.

Random Customer Placement: The random movement of customers can sometimes feel unpredictable.

Personal Thoughts on Cairo

Cairo is an excellent choice for players who enjoy economic and strategy games with a unique twist. It is particularly suited for those who appreciate games with simple rules but deep strategic depth. The game’s theme and component quality make it an attractive addition to any game collection, and its short playtime makes it accessible for both casual and serious gamers. However, it may not be ideal for players who prefer highly complex or long-duration games.

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