Cornwall (2015) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Cornwall is a board game that takes place in the region of Cornwall, England. Cornwall has a rich history dating back to the prehistoric period, and has been inhabited by various Celtic tribes. It is known for its beautiful landscapes, rugged coastline, and historic mining industry.

Game Components of Cornwall

36 tiles depicting various regions of Cornwall such as meadows, forests, swamps, villages, and mountains

Tokens for each player

Coins

Cottage and church markers

Flags of Cornwall

How To Setup Cornwall

To set up the game, players start with a few tokens and a small number of coins. The tiles are shuffled and placed face down within reach of all players. Each player chooses a starting tile to begin the landscape of Cornwall. The objective is to create a cohesive and valuable landscape by connecting regions and placing tokens strategically.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Tile Placement: Players draw tiles and place them to connect different regions, ensuring at least two edges match and the same type of region is connected.

Token Placement: Players can place tokens on newly placed tiles, but must pay a coin if another player’s token is already present.

Area Majority: Players aim to have the majority of tokens in each region to gain points.

Enclosure: Regions are finished when completely surrounded by tiles, and points are awarded based on the number of tokens in each region.

Coins and Connections: Connecting different regions earns coins, which are used to place additional tokens.

Special Features: Cottages and churches provide immediate victory points and can block other players from placing tokens in certain areas.

Flags of Cornwall: Certain tiles with the flag of Cornwall double the points for the region and change the scoring rules.

Player Experience

Playing Cornwall involves a mix of strategic planning and tactical execution. Players must balance the need to connect different regions to earn coins with the goal of placing tokens to control areas. The game is simple to learn but offers depth in its strategic possibilities, making it engaging for both casual and experienced players.

Pros

Quick Gameplay: The game lasts only about 30 minutes, making it a great filler or introductory game.

Strategic Depth: Despite its simplicity, the game offers a good level of strategic complexity.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for ages 8 and above, making it a good option for family game nights.

Beautiful Artwork: The game features charming illustrations of the Cornish landscape.

Cons

Limited Player Interaction: Some players may find the interaction between players to be minimal.

Luck of the Draw: The game involves drawing tiles, which can introduce an element of luck that may affect strategy.

Repetitive Gameplay: Some players might find the gameplay repetitive after multiple sessions.

Personal Thoughts on Cornwall

Cornwall is a great game for those who enjoy tile-laying and area control mechanics. It is an excellent introduction to more complex games for new players and offers enough depth for experienced players to enjoy. The game’s short playtime and family-friendly nature make it a versatile addition to any game collection. However, players looking for intense player interaction or a high level of complexity might find it a bit lacking.

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