Element is an abstract strategy game designed by Grant Wilson and released in in 2017. The game focuses on the four elements – earth, water, air, and fire – and players must strategically position their pieces on the board to outmaneuver their opponents.
Game Components of Element
Board: An 11×11 grid board with a Celtic-inspired illustration and a simple grid layout.Element Stones: Small plastic discs representing fire, water, earth, and wind, each with unique properties.Sages: Four monk figures, one for each player, which serve as the game pieces.Rulebook: Includes detailed rules and reminders of the element replacement rules.
How To Setup Element
Setup is straightforward and quick. Unfold the board, pull out the bag of element stones, and place the Sages for each player on the designated starting spaces. In a 2-player game, Sages start opposite each other next to the center space. For 3 or 4 players, Sages start in the element circles on the grid. Choose a starting player, and play proceeds counter-clockwise.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Drawing and Placing Stones: Players draw up to four element stones from a bag and place them on the board during their turn. Fewer stones drawn allow for additional movement.Movement: Players can move their Sage one space in any direction (including diagonally), with additional movement allowed for each stone not drawn.Element Properties:Fire: Spreads when placed adjacent to existing fire, causing fire to spread in multiple directions.Water: Flows in the direction of the placed tile, with longer lines of water flowing further.Earth: Forms mountain ranges that are indestructible and impassible when stacked.Wind: Allows for free movement over wind tiles, with stacked wind tiles enabling longer jumps.Rule of Replacement: Elements can replace each other in a specific order (water replaces fire, fire replaces wind, wind replaces earth, earth replaces water).Objective: The goal is to trap an opponent’s Sage so it cannot move, effectively surrounding it with elements or against the edge of the board.
Player Experience
Element offers a dynamic and fluid gameplay experience, combining strategic thinking with an element of randomness. Players must react to the elements they draw and adapt their strategy each turn. The game requires tactical adjustments as the board state changes continuously, making it engaging and challenging. The unique properties of each element and the rule of replacement add depth and complexity to the game.
Pros
Simple to Learn: Rules are easy to understand, and setup is quick.Deep Strategy: Offers a lot of depth and strategic thinking despite its simplicity.Dynamic Gameplay: The board state is in constant flux, making each turn unique and challenging.Elemental Theme: The game’s theme and elemental properties are cleverly integrated and thematic.
Cons
Randomness: The draw of elements from a bag introduces randomness, which may not appeal to all players.Accessibility Issue: The original edition has low-vision accessibility issues with the color of water and earth tiles, though this is addressed in the *Element: Silver* edition.Component Quality: While the components are adequate, there is room for improvement, such as using a wooden board and better-quality tiles.
Personal Thoughts on Element
Element is a great choice for fans of abstract strategy games and those who enjoy dynamic, tactical gameplay. It’s suitable for players looking for a game that is easy to learn but offers a lot of depth and strategic thinking. The game’s unique elemental theme and properties make it stand out, and its relatively short playtime of 30-60 minutes makes it a great addition to any game collection. However, players who prefer games with minimal randomness may find the element draw mechanism less appealing.
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