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Five Peaks (2023) Board Game

ByMichail

Five Peaks is a strategic board game designed by Adam Strzelecki and published by Trefl. It was released in 2023 and has quickly gained popularity among board game enthusiasts. The game combines elements of card play, economic strategy, and environmental themes, creating a unique and engaging gaming experience.

Game Components of Five Peaks

  • Backpack and starting deck** of 5 cards per player
  • Scoring stones** (two x3, two x2, and one x1 per player)
  • Market of hiking cards**
  • Panorama piles** with six levels of cards
  • Terrain tiles** (forest, alpine, rocky)
  • Peak tiles**
  • Hiking badges**
  • Campfire tiles**
  • Resource exchange spaces**

    How To Setup Five Peaks

    To set up the game, each player takes a backpack and their starting deck of 5 cards. The first tile, which includes parking spaces, is placed on the table. Each player receives their scoring stones and a market of 5 hiking cards is dealt. The panorama piles are set up, and the terrain tiles are arranged with forest tiles on top, followed by alpine and then rocky tiles.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Hand Management: Players use their deck of cards to perform various actions.
  • Deck Building: Players develop their decks to find more efficient ways to move or gather resources.
  • Resource Management: Gather resources like mushrooms, herbs, and berries.
  • Terrain Exploration: Place peak tiles connected to open paths on the terrain tiles.
  • Panorama Collection: Buy and collect panorama cards in ascending levels.
  • Campfire Utilization: Use campfire tiles for ongoing or endgame bonuses.
  • Objective: The game ends when the 5th rocky peak is placed, a player places their 5th stone, or completes their 6th panorama card. The player with the most points, earned through hiking badges, panorama cards, campfire cards, and stones, wins.

    Player Experience

    In Five Peaks, players embark on a strategic hike through different terrains, managing resources and building their decks to optimize their actions. The game requires balancing multiple scoring paths, as it won’t end until two of the three endgame criteria are met. This forces players to diversify their strategies, ensuring a dynamic and engaging experience.

    Pros

  • Balanced Scoring: Four distinct ways to score points, ensuring a balanced gameplay experience.
  • Variable Setup: Terrain tiles set up differently each game, offering replayability.
  • Strategic Depth: Players must build and manage their decks efficiently.
  • Multiple Pathways to Victory: Encourages diverse strategies.

    Cons

  • Complexity: May have a learning curve due to the various mechanics and scoring paths.
  • Resource Management: Requires careful planning and resource conversion.

    Personal Thoughts on Five Peaks

    Five Peaks is ideal for players who enjoy strategic deck-building and resource management games. It is particularly suited for those who appreciate games with multiple pathways to victory and a dynamic, variable setup. While it may not be the best fit for casual gamers due to its complexity, it is a hidden gem for enthusiasts of strategic board games.

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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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