Cape May (2021) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Cape May is a city-building and economic board game designed by Michael Menzel and published by Thunderworks Games in in 2021. The game is set in the quaint seaside town of Cape May, New Jersey, known for its Victorian architecture and beautiful beaches. Players take on the role of real estate developers competing to build the most prosperous resort in the area.

Game Components of Cape May

Game board

Player boards

Resource tokens

Building tiles

Development cards

Objective cards

Player meeples

How To Setup Cape May

Place the game board in the center of the table.

Each player receives a player board and meeples in their chosen color.

Shuffle the building tiles and place them face down on the board.

Place the resource tokens and development cards within reach of all players.

Determine a starting player and begin the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

In Cape May, players take turns choosing actions to develop their resorts by acquiring building tiles, constructing buildings, and attracting guests. The game combines elements of action points, area majority/influence, hand management, point-to-point movement, and set collection. The objective is to earn the most victory points by the end of the game through strategic development and fulfilling objectives.

Player Experience

Pros:

Engaging city-building mechanics

Beautiful artwork and thematic immersion

Strategic depth with multiple paths to victory

Cons:

Can be overwhelming for new players

Luck of the draw with development cards

Personal Thoughts on Cape May

Cape May is a well-designed and immersive board game that offers a satisfying blend of city-building and economic strategy. The components are of high quality, and the artwork captures the essence of the seaside setting. The game is priced reasonably for the experience it provides, and both new and used copies are readily available. For fans of city-building and economic games, Cape May is definitely worth your time. However, those looking for a more casual gaming experience may find it a bit complex. Overall, Cape May is a solid choice for players who enjoy strategic gameplay and thematic immersion.

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