Chai Garam (2021) Board Game

Chai Garam is a card game designed by Aditi Desai and released in in 2021. It falls under the categories of Card Game and Economic Game, with gameplay mechanics including Contracts, Hand Management, Open Drafting, and Set Collection. The game is suitable for players aged 8 and above, and can accommodate 2 to 4 players.

Game Components of Chai Garam

Tea Leaves (Assam, Darjeeling, Kashmiri, Nilgiri)

Basics like Water, Milk, and Sugar

Additives like Elaichi, Tulsi, Ginger, etc.

Snacks cards (Samosa, Bun Maska, Biscuits, Pakora)

Customer cards

Goal cards

Supply cards

Specialist tags

Chai Uncle and Chai Aunty cards

Flavour track

Saucepan upgrades

How To Setup Chai Garam

Setting up Chai Garam involves organizing various types of cards and components. Players need to separate and shuffle the different kinds of cards, including customer cards, goal cards, and supply cards. The setup can be complex, with some players noting that it takes up to two full pages of the instructions.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Ingredient Selection: Players carefully pick ingredients to prepare the perfect cup of Chai.

Serving Customers: Serve customers in a queue at the Mela to earn money and avoid negative points.

Goal Cards: Complete goal cards to earn star ratings.

Specialist Tags: Attract more customers with specialist tags.

Chai Uncle and Chai Aunty: Use special cards for double actions or removing negativity.

Flavour Track: Reach the top of the Flavour track by earning 10 stars to win.

Solo Mode: Play against a Chai Vending machine in solo mode (CH.AI).

Player Experience

Chai Garam offers a engaging and immersive experience, especially for those who enjoy strategy and are familiar with board games. The game’s artwork is praised for its beauty, making players want to play again and again. However, some players find the game too complex, with lengthy setup instructions and multiple types of cards to manage.

Pros

Engaging Gameplay: Satisfying gameplay for players already familiar with board games.

Beautiful Artwork: Attractive visuals that enhance the gaming experience.

Variety of Strategies: Multiple ways to improve ratings and attract customers.

Solo Mode: Includes a solo mode for those who prefer to play alone.

Cons

Complex Setup: Setup instructions can be lengthy and complex.

Card Quality: Cards are not printed on quality paper and can stick together.

Storage Issues: Lack of a plastic tray for organizing cards.

Expensive: Some players find the game unreasonably expensive.

Personal Thoughts on Chai Garam

Chai Garam is ideal for players who enjoy strategic gameplay and are looking for a game that offers a unique cultural experience. It is particularly suited for those who have some experience with board games, as it can be complex for beginners. The game’s theme and mechanics make it a great choice for anyone enthusiastic about Indian culture and the art of making the perfect cup of Chai. However, patience and time are necessary due to the complex setup and gameplay.

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