Candidate (1979) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Candidate is a political board game that was released in 1979 by Shaw Games. The game is designed for 2–6 players and has a runtime of about 90 minutes. In Candidate, players take on the roles of politicians running for office, and compete against each other to win elections.

Game Components of Candidate

Game board

Player pawns

Election cards

Candidate cards

Money tokens

Influence markers

How To Setup Candidate

Place the game board in the center of the table.

Shuffle the election cards and place them face down.

Each player selects a candidate card and receives the corresponding player pawn.

Distribute money tokens and influence markers to each player.

Determine a starting player.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Players move around the board using dice rolls and election cards, trying to win elections in different districts. The objective is to accumulate the most influence and money by the end of the game. Players can use strategy and negotiation to gain an advantage over their opponents.

Player Experience

Pros:

Engaging gameplay that encourages strategic thinking

Opportunity for negotiation and alliances with other players

Realistic political theme that immerses players in the world of elections

Cons:

Game can be lengthy, especially with a full player count

Luck-based mechanics may frustrate some players

Some may find the theme too niche for their tastes

Personal Thoughts on Candidate

Candidate is a well-designed game that offers a unique experience for players interested in politics and strategy. The build quality of the components is decent, although it could be improved in some areas. The game falls in the political category, which may not appeal to everyone, but for those who enjoy the theme, Candidate offers a rich and immersive gameplay experience.

In terms of pricing and availability, Candidate can be found both used and new online. Alternatives to Candidate include other political board games such as 1960: The Making of the President and Twilight Struggle. Whether Candidate is worth your time depends on your interest in politics and strategy games. Players who enjoy intense competition and negotiation will likely find Candidate to be a rewarding experience. On the other hand, those who prefer lighter, less confrontational games may want to skip this one.

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