Forum Trajanum (2018) Board Game

Forum Trajanum is a board game designed by Stefan Feld and published in 2018 by HUCH! The game is set in ancient Roman times, where players take on the role of Roman architects competing to build the most prestigious forum in honor of Emperor Trajan.

Game Components of Forum Trajanum

Player boards (Colonia boards)

Delegate tokens

Resource tokens

Building tiles

Event cards

Monument tiles

Trajan track

How To Setup Forum Trajanum

To set up the game, each player receives a Colonia board, which serves as their personal player board. The main board, featuring the map of Rome, is placed in the center. Players start by placing their delegate tokens on their Colonia board and setting up the resource tokens, building tiles, and event cards according to the game’s instructions.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Cycles: The game is played over 3 cycles, each consisting of 4 rounds.

Resource Management: Players manage resources to build structures and send delegates to Rome.

Event Cards: Players can use event cards to gain advantages or hinder their opponents.

Monument Building: The objective is to contribute to the construction of the Forum Trajanum by building monuments and sending delegates to Rome.

Trajan Track: Progressing on the Trajan track is crucial as it provides bonuses and points.

Player Experience

Forum Trajanum offers a rich and immersive gaming experience, particularly for fans of heavier, strategic games. The game requires careful planning and resource management, making it engaging and challenging. Players need to balance their actions between building on their Colonia board and contributing to the central project in Rome.

Pros

Deep Strategy: Offers complex and engaging gameplay.

High Replayability: The use of event cards and variable setup ensures high replayability.

Thematic Integration: The game’s theme is well-integrated with its mechanics.

Designer Pedigree: Designed by Stefan Feld, known for his highly-regarded games.

Cons

Learning Curve: The game has a steep learning curve due to its complex mechanics.

Playtime: Games can be lengthy, typically lasting around 60-90 minutes.

Player Interaction: Some players might find the level of direct player interaction to be limited.

Personal Thoughts on Forum Trajanum

Forum Trajanum is ideal for experienced board game enthusiasts who enjoy strategic planning and resource management. It is not a game for beginners due to its complexity, but for those who appreciate a challenge and are fans of Stefan Feld’s design style, it offers a deeply rewarding experience. If you’re looking for a game that will test your strategic skills and provide a lot of replay value, Forum Trajanum is an excellent choice.

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