Gorus Maximus (2018) Board Game

Gorus Maximus is a card game designed by Conor McGoey and published by Inside Up Games in in 2018. The game is set in the brutal world of gladiatorial combat, where players take on the roles of powerful spectators betting on their favorite fighters in the arena.

Game Components of Gorus Maximus

Cards: 86 Premium PVC Plastic Cards with metallic gilded edges and a slip-resistant “Linen” finish.

Box and Insert: Premium PVC Plastic “2-Go” Tuck Box, Spot UV Game Box, and custom plastic insert.

Chips: 8 Premium 11.5g Poker Chips.

Sleeve: Foil Stamped exclusive sleeve.

How To Setup Gorus Maximus

To set up Gorus Maximus, players first need to shuffle the deck and distribute the cards. The game can be played with 1-8 players, either individually or in teams. Each player starts by drawing a hand of cards. The objective is to dispatch the strongest gladiators and most ferocious beasts into the arena to earn crowd favour.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Trick-Taking: Players take turns playing cards, with the ability to change the trump suit mid-trick by matching the rank of the last gladiator played.

Crowd Favour: Collect gladiators with positive crowd favour and avoid those with negative favour.

Round Victory: The player with the most Crowd Favour at the end of each round wins a Token from the Crowd.

Game Objective: The first player to collect 3 Crowd Support Tokens wins the game.

Player Experience

Gorus Maximus offers a dynamic and competitive experience, blending strategy and luck. Players must strategically choose which gladiators to deploy to maximize their crowd favour, while also adapting to the changing trump suit. The game is designed for players aged 8 and up and typically lasts 30-45 minutes, making it an engaging and relatively quick game night addition.

Pros

Dynamic Gameplay: The ability to change the trump suit mid-trick adds a layer of unpredictability and excitement.

Multiple Play Modes: Can be played with 1-8 players, either individually or in teams.

High-Quality Components: Premium cards and poker chips enhance the gaming experience.

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

Cons

Complexity: The changing trump suit can be confusing for new players.

Luck Element: The game involves a degree of luck, which might not appeal to all strategy enthusiasts.

Personal Thoughts on Gorus Maximus

Gorus Maximus is ideal for those who enjoy trick-taking games with a unique twist. It’s a great addition for game nights due to its flexibility in player count and team play options. While it may appeal more to fans of competitive and strategic games, the family-friendly age rating makes it accessible to a broader audience. However, players who prefer games with minimal luck and straightforward rules might find it less appealing.

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