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Ekö (2015) Board Game

ByMichail

Ekö is an abstract strategy board game that was released in in 2015. It is designed by Lucy Mazel and published by Sit Down! The game is set in a fantasy world and revolves around territory building and grid movement mechanics. With a playtime of 30-60 minutes and suitable for players aged 8 and above, Ekö has gained popularity among board game enthusiasts for its strategic gameplay and beautiful artwork by Sit Down!

Game Components of Ekö

  • 64 engraved wooden discs (16 per player, including one Emperor disc)
  • 36 buildings (1 castle, 3 towers, and 5 encampments per player)
  • 13 large hexagonal tiles and 11 small tiles for the modular board
  • 4 player boards
  • The rules of the game

    How To Setup Ekö

    To set up Ekö, players first construct the modular board using the large and small hexagonal tiles. Each player chooses their set of wooden discs and buildings, and the game is ready to begin once the board is assembled and the initial discs are placed according to the rules.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

    Gameplay Mechanics

  • Action Phase:** Players can move, regroup, attack, or construct buildings on empty spaces or upgrade their existing buildings.
  • Reinforcements Phase:** Players reintroduce at least one disc onto the board, ensuring it is not on an empty space and not adjacent to an opponent’s building.

    Game Objective

  • The first player to accumulate 12 victory points, achieved through constructed buildings and capturing opponents’ Emperors, wins the game.
  • Alternatively, the last player with discs on the board also wins.

    Player Experience

    Ekö offers a dynamic and strategic experience, where players must balance expanding their empire with defending their positions. The game’s modular board ensures high replayability, and the various actions available in each turn keep the gameplay engaging and challenging.

    Pros

  • High Replayability:** The modular board and varied player actions ensure each game is unique.
  • Strategic Depth:** Players must think carefully about their moves and resource management.
  • Multilingual Support:** Available in English, French, Dutch, and German.
  • Aesthetic Appeal:** Engraved wooden discs and detailed buildings add to the game’s visual appeal.

    Cons

  • Complexity:** The game has a moderate to high complexity level, which might be daunting for new players.
  • Setup Time:** Constructing the modular board can take some time.
  • Component Intensive:** Managing the numerous discs and buildings can be overwhelming.

    Personal Thoughts on Ekö

    Ekö is ideal for fans of strategic and area-control games who enjoy building and managing their own empires. It is suited for players who appreciate modular board games and are looking for a challenging but rewarding experience. While it may not be the best fit for casual or new gamers due to its complexity, Ekö offers a rich and engaging experience for those who enjoy deeper strategy and gameplay mechanics.

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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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