Garum (2019) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Garum is an abstract strategy board game that was released in in 2019. Designed by Pedro Soto and illustrated by PYTHAGORAS, the game is set in ancient times and focuses on the production of the prized Roman condiment, garum. Players take on the roles of ancient Roman entrepreneurs seeking to dominate the market by producing and selling the best garum.

Game Components of Garum

16 Cetarian Tiles per player, each with 4 spaces filled by 4 colors in different proportions

A 4×4 grid board representing a cetarium (brine tank)

16 coins (aureus) numbered 1-16

Player meeples (six per player, including a double-scoring grande meeple)

Bonus icons on the board

Privileges tokens (Neptune and Caesar sides)

Player aid tiles for scoring.

How To Setup Garum

To set up Garum, each player receives a set of 16 Cetarian Tiles. The board is laid out as a 4×4 grid, representing the cetarium. The 16 coins are shuffled and placed face down. Each player draws a hand of four tiles from their supply. In a two-player game, each player controls two colors, alternating turns. In a three-player game, the first player places a neutral color at the end of each round.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Tile Laying: Players take turns placing one tile from their hand into a designated vat on the board, determined by the flipped aureus coin.

Area Majority: Players aim to create rows and columns filled with their player color.

Worker Placement: Players can place one worker meeple per turn to claim control of a row or column.

Bonus Scoring: Players earn bonus points by covering specific icons on the board with matching colors.

End Game Scoring: After 16 rounds, players count the number of fish icons aligned with their meeples to determine the score. The player with the most points wins.

Player Experience

Garum is a light, family-friendly game that can be taught and played within a 30-minute window. The game is language-independent and offers endless replayability due to its dynamic board system. Players must balance long-term planning with immediate tile placement decisions, as the order of draw and turn order can significantly impact the game. The game encourages strategic thinking but also relies on a fair bit of luck, particularly in the draw of tiles and coins.

Pros

Quick and Engaging: Games are short, lasting about 30 minutes.

High Replayability: The dynamic board system ensures no two games are alike.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players aged 8 and up.

Strategic Depth: Requires long-term planning and strategic tile placement.

Visually Appealing: The game board looks beautiful when filled with tiles.

Cons

Luck-Dependent: The game hinges significantly on the luck of the draw.

Start Player Advantage: In some variants, the first player has a noticeable advantage.

Complex Scoring: Counting icons at the end of the game can be time-consuming and tedious.

Personal Thoughts on Garum

Garum is ideal for those looking for a light, strategic game that is easy to learn but still offers some depth. It’s perfect for families or casual gamers who want a game that doesn’t overwhelm but still challenges. However, players seeking a game with more complex mechanics or those who dislike luck-based elements might find Garum too simplistic. The game’s unique theme and beautiful visuals make it a great addition to any board game collection, especially for those interested in ancient Rome or tile-laying games.

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