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Coffee (2011) Board Game

ByMichail

Coffee is a board game released in 2011 that is designed for 2 players. The game is an abstract strategy game that involves pattern building. It is suitable for players aged 6 and up and has a runtime of approximately 20 minutes. The game was designed by Néstor Romeral Andrés and features artwork by Ducosim and one other artist.

Game Components of Coffee Traders

  • Main Board:** Features 5 large coffee producing cooperatives (Guatemala, Brazil, Ethiopia, Colombia, and Indonesia) and a smaller area for Sumatra.
  • Player Boards:** Serve as player aids, listing information for each of the six main phases of each round.
  • Action Cubes:** Used for Cooperative actions.
  • Traders and Contractors:** Involved in contract fulfillment and coffee delivery.
  • Coffee Bar Track:** For delivering coffee and gaining coins.
  • Arabica Track:** For marking progress in the five main coffee areas.
  • Buildings and Workers:** For enhancing plantations and company supply.

    Game Components of Coffee Roaster

  • Bean Tokens:** Represent different coffee varieties.
  • Roast Level Tokens:** Track the roast level of each bean.
  • Flavor Tokens:** Used to preserve, concentrate, or disperse beans.
  • Bag:** For drawing bean tokens randomly.

    How To Setup Coffee Traders

  • Place the main board in the center of the table.
  • Each player receives a player board.
  • Distribute action cubes, traders, and contractors according to the game’s initial setup rules.
  • Players start with an empty inventory and no contracts or coffee deliveries.
  • Set up the coffee bar and Arabica tracks according to the game’s rules.

    How To Setup Coffee Roaster

  • Choose a variety of coffee beans to roast and put the corresponding tokens into a bag.
  • Set up the roast level tokens and flavor tokens.
  • Prepare the scoring system and any additional components such as the cup-testing mechanism.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective of Coffee Traders

  • Phases:** The game is divided into six phases per round, including Work, Action, Contract, Delivery, and Refresh phases.
  • Objective:** To maximize points by constructing buildings, fulfilling contracts, delivering coffee to bars, and managing the Arabica Track.
  • Scoring:** Points are awarded for quality value in each cooperative, company supply, and fulfilling contracts and coffee bar deliveries.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective of Coffee Roaster

  • Mechanics:** Bag-building, resource management, and roast level management.
  • Objective:** To roast coffee beans to the optimal level, balancing the roast levels to achieve the highest score.
  • Scoring:** Points are awarded based on the taste of the roasted coffee, with penalties for under or over-roasting.

    Player Experience of Coffee Traders

    Players find the game engaging with multiple strategies to pursue. The game requires planning to achieve high scores, particularly in the coffee cooperatives. The components are nice, but the game is noted for its large board and complex setup. However, the player boards serve as useful aids, making the game more manageable after initial playthroughs.

    Player Experience of Coffee Roaster

    Players enjoy the tactile feel and the challenge of managing roast levels. The game is praised for its ease of setup and straightforward gameplay, making it a favorite for quick coffee breaks. However, it can feel repetitive after several plays, and the randomness of the bag draws can be frustrating.

    Pros of Coffee Traders

  • Multiple Strategies:** Encourages different approaches to achieve high scores.
  • Engaging Gameplay:** Players are keen to replay to explore other strategies.
  • Nice Components:** The board and player boards are well-designed and functional.

    Cons of Coffee Traders

  • Complex Setup:** The game is a table hog and has a large board.
  • Information Layout:** Some information is spread out and needs to be remembered.

    Pros of Coffee Roaster

  • Tactile Experience:** Players enjoy the physical aspect of the game.
  • Ease of Setup:** Setup is relatively easy and quick.
  • Challenging but Manageable:** The game offers a good balance of challenge and ease of play.

    Cons of Coffee Roaster

  • Repetitiveness:** The game can feel samey after several plays.
  • Randomness:** The bag draw mechanism can lead to frustrating outcomes.

    Personal Thoughts on Coffee Traders

    This game is for players who enjoy economic and strategy games, particularly those who like area majority and resource management mechanics. It is suitable for players who are willing to invest time in understanding the complex setup and rules.

    Personal Thoughts on Coffee Roaster

    This game is ideal for solo players who enjoy bag-building and resource management. It is perfect for those looking for a game that can be played during short breaks, especially for coffee enthusiasts who appreciate the thematic elements. However, it may not be the best fit for players who prefer high variability in their games.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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