Formosa Tea (2019) Board Game

Formosa Tea is a board game released in 2019 by Soso Studio. Designed by Chu-Lan Kao and illustrated by Sammixyz and Huang Yu Wen, this game is set in the world of farming and industry, specifically focusing on the tea industry in Taiwan, previously known as Formosa. Players take on the roles of tea plantation owners, competing to produce the highest quality tea and build successful businesses.

Game Components of Formosa Tea

Game board depicting a tea plantation

Player boards

Tea plantation tiles

Worker meeples

Technology cards

Contract cards

Event cards

Money tokens

How To Setup Formosa Tea

Place the game board in the center of the table.

Each player receives a player board and worker meeples.

Shuffle the tea plantation tiles and place them face down.

Set up the technology and contract decks.

Determine the starting player.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

In Formosa Tea, players must strategically place their workers on different locations on the board to harvest tea, build factories, and fulfill contracts. The game features worker placement, variable player powers, and a tech tree that allows players to advance their production capabilities. The objective is to earn the most money by producing high-quality tea and fulfilling contracts.

Player Experience

Pros

Engaging gameplay with strategic depth

Beautiful artwork and theme that immerses players in the world of tea production

Variable player powers add replayability

Balanced mix of luck and strategy

Cons

Learning curve may be steep for new players

Setup and teardown time can be lengthy

Limited player interaction may not appeal to all gamers

Personal Thoughts on Formosa Tea

Formosa Tea is a well-crafted game that offers a unique theme and engaging gameplay experience. The components are of high quality, and the artwork beautifully captures the essence of the tea industry. While the learning curve may be steep for some, the strategic depth and replayability make it worth the investment. The game falls into the farming and industry category, offering a refreshing change from more traditional board game themes.

In terms of pricing and availability, Formosa Tea can be found at various online retailers and board game stores, both new and used. Alternatives to Formosa Tea include other worker placement games such as Viticulture or Agricola. Overall, Formosa Tea is worth your time if you enjoy strategic board games and have an interest in the tea industry. It is recommended for players aged 12 and above who appreciate a good challenge and are willing to invest time in mastering the game mechanics. Players who prefer more interactive games with direct player confrontation may want to skip Formosa Tea.

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