Chocolatl (2010) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Chocolatl is a board game released in 2010, designed by Ryan Laukat. The game is set in ancient Mesoamerica and revolves around the trading and consumption of chocolate, which was considered a luxury item in that time period. Players take on the roles of tribal leaders trying to acquire the most valuable chocolate and trade it for resources.

Game Components of Chocolatl

Playing board divided into six regions

Summary boards for each player

Cards numbered 0 to 12 for each player

Large and small Improvement cards

Bonus markers

Two figures: the Man of Chocolate and the Old Man

Three white Dice and seven black Dice

Cubes for each player and one white cube for the fifth area

Victory track

Moon cards (big and small).

How To Setup Chocolatl

To set up the game, place the board in the middle of the table. Give each player a summary board, cubes of one color, and matching cards of the same color. Each player places their disc on the victory track. From the 12 cards in their hand, each player chooses one card and plays it face down in the center of the board, which will give them victory bonus points at the end of the game. Place the white cube on the leftmost spot in area five. Players are now ready to start playing.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Bidding: Players secretly bid two cards at each location to determine the order and benefits.

Area Control: Players compete in six different areas, each offering distinct rewards and challenges.

Variable Player Powers: The Man of Chocolate and the Old Man figures influence bidding and scoring.

Game Objective: The goal is to accumulate the most victory points by winning bids, placing cubes in the pyramid, and collecting bonus tokens.

Here are the key areas and their mechanics:

Area 1: Bid to win the Man of Chocolate figure, which breaks ties, or the Old Man, which penalizes further bids.

Area 2: Roll three white dice; the highest bidder wins victory points based on the dice numbers.

Area 3: Winner can take a black die or place a cube in an empty building and get a plus one token.

Area 4: Highest bidder places two cubes to start building the pyramid or places one cube if the bid difference is less than three.

Area 5: Highest bidder wins the highest number under the white cube; the second highest gets the lowest number.

Area 6: Highest player picks up the big Moon card, and the second highest picks up the small Moon card.

Player Experience

Chocolatl offers a blend of strategy and luck, making it a fun and engaging game for families and casual gamers. The game requires strategic bidding and area control, but the randomness of the dice rolls adds an element of unpredictability. The artwork and rule book are well-regarded, with the summary cards helping players keep track of the rules during the game.

Pros

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players of various ages and skill levels.

Engaging Mechanics: Combines bidding, area control, and variable player powers.

Good Artwork: Attractive and thematic visuals.

Clear Rules: Detailed rule book and summary cards for easy reference.

Cons

Luck Factor: Dice rolls can significantly influence the outcome.

Complex Setup: Multiple components and rules may overwhelm new players.

Limited Depth: May not appeal to experienced gamers seeking complex strategies.

Personal Thoughts on Chocolatl

Chocolatl is ideal for families and casual gamers who enjoy a mix of strategy and luck. It is a great introduction to more complex board games due to its clear rules and engaging mechanics. However, experienced gamers might find it too light and dependent on chance. Overall, it is a fun and visually appealing game that can be enjoyed by a wide range of players.

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