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Crisis (2016) Board Game

ByMichail

Crisis is a board game released in 2016 that allows players to take on the roles of powerful business leaders in a fictional city recovering from a devastating economic crisis. Designed by Anthony Cournoyer and Viktor Csete, the game features stunning artwork by LudiCreations and offers a unique blend of economic, industry/manufacturing, and political themes.

Game Components of Crisis

  • 1 game board
  • 1 cloth bag
  • 45 wooden player tokens
  • 120 wooden resource tokens
  • 120 large cards
  • 137 cardboard tiles.

    How To Setup Crisis

    To set up Crisis, players start by preparing the game board, which represents the struggling nation of Axia. Each player selects their set of tokens and places their managers on the board. The game involves drawing company cards, setting up the resource tokens, and determining the starting player. For a detailed setup, refer to the full rules explanation available from sources like Watch it Played.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

    Mechanics:

  • Commodity Speculation**
  • Worker Placement**
  • Resource Management**
  • Engine Building**

    Game Objective:

  • Survive and thrive in business amidst economic collapse.
  • Send managers to bail out businesses, recruit employees, raise capital, and produce goods for export.
  • Compete for foreign contracts or engage in black market activities, but avoid excessive corruption that could lead to rioting and an early game end.

    Player Experience

    In Crisis, players are immersed in a gritty, diesel-punk world where tough decisions are paramount. The game beautifully handles up to 5 players, creating a tense and engaging environment. Players must balance investing in companies, managing resources, and avoiding the pitfalls of corruption. The game’s artwork and components, including wooden tokens and detailed company cards, add to the immersive experience. The perfect level of tension keeps players engaged, as they must navigate the fine line between profit and economic collapse.

    Pros

  • High Replayability: With variable company cards and multiple paths to victory.
  • Engaging Mechanics: Combines worker placement, resource management, and engine building for a dynamic gameplay experience.
  • Beautiful Components: High-quality wooden tokens and detailed, diesel-punk themed artwork.
  • Supports Solo Play: Can be enjoyed by 1 to 5 players.

    Cons

  • Availability Issues: Historically, the game has been hard to find due to high demand and limited supply.
  • Complex Setup: Requires careful preparation and understanding of the rules.
  • Potential for Early Game End: Excessive corruption or poor economic management can lead to an early game end, affecting player satisfaction.

    Personal Thoughts on Crisis

    Crisis is ideal for fans of complex, strategic board games who enjoy worker placement and resource management mechanics. It is particularly suited for those who appreciate a challenging, immersive experience set in a unique, dystopian world. The game’s themes of surviving economic crisis and navigating corruption add a layer of realism and depth that appeals to players looking for more than just light entertainment. If you’re ready for a game that demands strategic thinking and offers high replayability, Crisis is an excellent addition to your gaming collection.

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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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