Gangs of Britannia (2018) Board Game

Gangs of Britannia is a board game released in 2018, designed by Jason L. Carr, Giorgio De Michele, and Tautvydas Last. It falls under the categories of Bluffing, Deduction, Mafia, and Negotiation, and features gameplay mechanics such as Area Majority/Influence, Team-Based Game, Variable Player Powers, and Worker Placement. The game is designed for 3-5 players, with an average runtime of 45-75 minutes, making it suitable for players aged 10 and above.

Game Components of Gangs of Britannia

A map of Great Britain comprising six tiles, each representing major cities like London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, and Glasgow, plus one blank tile for aesthetic purposes.

Wooden meeples shaped like gangsters.

Card stock with a slightly cartoony art style by Jason L. Carr, Giorgio De Michele, and Tautvydas Last.

Event cards that affect gameplay.

Money and additional cards for manipulating control.

How To Setup Gangs of Britannia

To set up the game, players assemble the map of Great Britain by placing the six tiles together. Each player selects a gang to control and places their meeples in the starting cities. The event cards are shuffled and prepared for the rounds ahead. The game is designed for 3-5 players, and setup is relatively straightforward, despite some creative liberties taken with the geography.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Area Control: Players compete to control major cities in Britain.

Negotiation and Bluffing: Players form alliances and make deals, but can also double-cross each other.

Event Cards: Cities are affected by events, which players can influence with insider information.

Cash Management: Players gain and spend money to maintain control and buy additional cards.

Cops Mechanic: The city with the most gang members is raided by the cops at the end of each round, resetting the board.

Objective: The goal is to have the most money at the end of three rounds.

Player Experience

Playing **Gangs of Britannia** involves a mix of strategic planning, social interaction, and a bit of luck. The game requires players to balance building control in cities, negotiating with other players, and making calculated risks. The event cards and cops mechanic add a layer of unpredictability, making each round exciting and challenging.

Pros

Engaging Gameplay: The combination of area control, negotiation, and bluffing makes for a highly engaging experience.

Thematic Art: The art style effectively sets the tone for the game.

Balanced Mechanics: The cops mechanic ensures no single player dominates too early.

Strategic Depth: Players need to manage resources, form alliances, and make tactical decisions.

Cons

Limited Fanfare: Despite its unique mechanics, the game did not receive significant industry attention upon its release.

Complexity: While the game is rated as moderately complex, it may require some time to fully grasp the strategies and mechanics.

Geographical Liberties: The map’s creative adjustments to Great Britain’s geography might confuse some players initially.

Personal Thoughts on Gangs of Britannia

**Gangs of Britannia** is ideal for players who enjoy games with a strong social interaction component, bluffing, and strategic depth. It’s perfect for groups of 3-5 players looking for a game that combines area control with negotiation and deduction. However, players who prefer simpler games or those with a more straightforward ruleset might find this game challenging to navigate initially. Overall, it’s a great addition to any board game collection for those who appreciate complex, engaging gameplay.

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