GoCaine (2021) Board Game – Board Game Guys

GoCaine is an abstract strategy board game that was released in in 2021. Designed by Devisha Binns and featuring artwork by Kharitago Games Inc., this game falls into categories such as Economic, Mafia, and Territory Building. With a runtime of 120-240 minutes and recommended for players aged 16 and above, GoCaine offers a complex and engaging gameplay experience for 2-6 players.

Game Components of GoCaine

Player discs: Representing cells of dealers, thugs, and hitmen.

Cocaine cubes: Each cube represents a metric ton of cocaine.

Infrastructure tokens: Allow for increased movement and smuggling capabilities.

Political influence tokens: Offer protection against interdiction.

Game board: Depicts a map from South America to North America, divided into colored regions.

Rulebook: Includes a “player covenant” to maintain a respectful game environment.

How To Setup GoCaine

To set up GoCaine, players start by placing their discs on the board, typically in the South American region. Each player chooses a starting location, such as Bolivia or Peru. The game board is divided into regions, each with a different cost for purchasing cocaine. Players begin by buying cocaine cubes, with prices varying from $2.5 million in Bolivia to $30 million in Central North America. Infrastructure and political influence tokens are also available for purchase to enhance gameplay.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Turn Structure: Players take turns performing a single action followed by placing a disc on the board.

Buying Cocaine: Players purchase cocaine cubes, aiming to transport them to more lucrative regions.

Smuggling: Players move their discs across the board, forming a distribution network.

Infrastructure Expansion: Players can increase their movement capabilities and smuggle more effectively.

Political Influence: Players can buy protection against interdiction by law enforcement.

Interdiction: Law enforcement actions can disrupt players’ operations, but these actions are rarely successful.

Capturing Opponents: Players can capture each other’s discs by surrounding them, a mechanic borrowed from Go.

Game Objective: The goal is to build the most lucrative distribution network by transporting cocaine from low-cost regions to high-cost regions.

Player Experience

Playing GoCaine is a complex and strategic experience. The game requires a thoughtful approach, as players need to balance their resources between buying cocaine, expanding infrastructure, and protecting their operations. The game’s theme is handled with a mix of flippancy and thoughtful scrutiny, making it a unique and somewhat controversial addition to any board game collection.

Pros

Unique Theme: Combines Go mechanics with a cocaine trafficking theme, offering a fresh and challenging experience.

Strategic Depth: Players must manage resources, expand infrastructure, and navigate interdiction.

Multiplayer Conflict: The game allows for capture and elimination of opponents’ pieces, adding a competitive edge.

Economic Strategy: Players must optimize their cocaine purchases and transportation to maximize profits.

Cons

Controversial Theme: Some players may find the theme offensive or insensitive.

Lengthy Gameplay: The game can be quite long and may require significant time commitment.

Complexity: The game’s mechanics can be overwhelming for new players, requiring a learning curve.

Personal Thoughts on GoCaine

GoCaine is for players who enjoy strategic and complex games with a unique theme. It is not for those who are easily offended or prefer more traditional or light-hearted board games. The game’s blend of economic strategy, area control, and competitive conflict makes it appealing to players who enjoy games like Go and other strategic board games. However, its theme and complexity mean it may not be suitable for all audiences.

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