Cubitos (2021) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Cubitos is a racing board game released in 2021 by designer John D. Clair and published by Alderac Entertainment Group. The game combines elements of dice rolling, deck-building, and market mechanics to create a unique and engaging gameplay experience.

Game Components of Cubitos

Dice: Nine starting grey dice, and eight colors of dice each with seven different ability cards.

Player Boards: Individual player mats to manage dice.

Racetracks: Four different tracks on two double-sided game boards.

Characters: Unique runner figures and fan track tokens.

Ability Cards: Cards explaining the powers and costs of each colored die.

Credit Tokens: Used to buy new dice.

Draw Tokens: Increase hand size.

How To Setup Cubitos

To set up Cubitos, players start by selecting one of the four racetracks and placing their runner figures on the start space. Each player begins with a pool of nine dice, consisting of seven light grey cubes with money faces and two dark grey cubes with money and movement faces. Players also select a runner color and place a figure on the fan track. At the beginning of the game, players collectively choose one ability card for each of the eight dice colors, which can dramatically change the gameplay experience.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Dice Rolling: Players roll dice to move forward on the track and earn coins.

Press Your Luck: Players decide whether to continue rolling dice, risking a bust.

Resource Management: Managing coins to buy new dice with special abilities.

Simultaneous Play: Players roll dice simultaneously.

Game Objective

Be the first player to cross the finish line on the racetrack.

Collect coins and use them to buy new dice with improved abilities.

Use special powers from the dice to enhance movement and earnings.

Player Experience

Playing Cubitos is an exhilarating experience filled with the thrill of rolling large handfuls of brightly colored dice. The game starts slowly as players gather resources and build up their dice pool, but it quickly accelerates into a frenetic race with big swings and misses. The push-your-luck mechanic adds a layer of tension, as players must carefully decide whether to risk a bust or play it safe. The game’s humor and whimsical characters, such as a wizard dog and a rock-and-roll pineapple, add to its charm.

Pros

High Replayability: With four different tracks and multiple ability cards for each die color, the game offers a vast number of combinations.

Engaging Mechanics: The mix of dice rolling, resource management, and press-your-luck elements keeps players engaged.

Simultaneous Action: Minimal downtime as players roll dice simultaneously.

Fun and Humorous: The game’s artwork and characters add a light-hearted and entertaining atmosphere.

Cons

Luck-Dependent: The game’s reliance on dice rolling means luck can significantly impact the outcome.

Busting: Repeated busts can set players back significantly, making it harder to catch up.

Personal Thoughts on Cubitos

Cubitos is ideal for gamers who enjoy a blend of luck and strategy, particularly those who appreciate push-your-luck mechanics and dice rolling. It is suitable for families of gamers due to its medium weight and the excitement of rolling and combining different colored dice. However, it may not be the best fit for players who prefer games with minimal luck involvement. Overall, Cubitos offers a fun and dynamic gaming experience that is perfect for those looking to add a bit of randomness and excitement to their game nights.

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