Deus (2014) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Deus is a strategic board game designed by Sébastien Dujardin and published by Pearl Games in in 2014. The game is set in a world inspired by ancient civilizations and mythologies, where players take on the roles of leaders trying to build the most powerful civilization.

Game Components of Deus

7 double-sided interlocking hexagonal tiles

96 cards (16 for each of the 6 building types)

80 resource discs (20 of each resource)

84 gold coins

59 victory point tokens

6 types of buildings (each player starts with 2 of each type and has 5 in total)

Player boards

Temple cards

How To Setup Deus

To set up Deus, players start by forming the game board with the interlocking hexagonal tiles, ensuring that barbarian villages do not touch each other. The number of tiles used varies by the number of players: 4 tiles for 2 players, 6 tiles for 3 players, and all 7 tiles for 4 players. Each player selects a player board, 5 gold coins, 5 victory points, and 5 cards. Two buildings of each type are placed on the player board, with the remaining buildings set aside.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics:

Hand Management: Players manage cards to build buildings and use abilities.

Engine Building: Building combinations of cards to enhance abilities.

Card Play: Playing cards to construct buildings and invoke god powers.

Resource Management: Managing resources to build and maintain structures.

Area Control: Placing buildings to control regions and barbarian villages.

Game Objective:

Build buildings to expand your empire.

Conquer barbarian villages by surrounding them with your buildings.

Build temples to gain victory points based on certain conditions.

Make offerings to the gods to gain resources and benefits.

The game ends when all barbarian villages are conquered or all temples are built; the player with the most victory points wins.

Player Experience

Deus offers a blend of strategic planning and tactical decision-making. Players must balance building their infrastructure, conquering barbarian villages, and making offerings to the gods to maximize their resources and victory points. The game’s modular board and varied card abilities ensure each playthrough is unique.

Pros

Engaging Mechanics: The combination of hand management, engine building, and resource management keeps the game engaging.

Strategic Depth: Players can create powerful combinations of card abilities and resource management.

Quick Rounds: Despite the depth, rounds are generally quick with minimal downtime.

Easy to Learn: The game has sleek, streamlined rules that are easy to understand.

Cons

Luck of the Draw: The game can be influenced by the luck of the card draw.

Component Issues: Some players have noted issues with component quality, such as confusing resource disc colors.

Limited Replayability: While the game is highly replayable, some players might find it less varied after multiple plays.

Personal Thoughts on Deus

Deus is an excellent choice for fans of civilization-building and card-driven games. It offers a good balance between strategy and luck, making it appealing to both casual and experienced players. The game’s unique mechanics, such as the offering system and the ability to chain card powers, add a layer of complexity that rewards long-term planning. However, it may not be the best fit for players who prefer games with no luck element or those who are sensitive to component quality issues. Overall, Deus is a solid addition to any board game collection, especially for those who enjoy games like Cyclades.

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