Gùgōng (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Gùgōng, designed by Andreas Steding and published by Game Brewer, was released in in 2018. The game is set in the Ming Dynasty of China and revolves around players taking on the role of powerful Chinese families who are trying to gain influence and power by exchanging gifts with officials.

Game Components of Gùgōng

Player boards: For each of the 1-5 players.

Gift cards: These must be of a higher value than the ones received from officials.

Decree cards: Provide various advantages.

Jade tokens: Represent precious jade.

Great Wall tokens: For construction contributions.

Intrigue tokens: For influencing the game.

Emperor audience tokens: For the ultimate goal.

Worker tokens: For placement and resource management.

How To Setup Gùgōng

To set up the game, each player chooses a player board and receives a starting set of gift cards. The game board, representing China, is laid out, and various tokens and cards are distributed according to the rules. The game is divided into four rounds, each with three phases: morning, day, and night. During setup, players also determine the starting player.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Hand Management: Players manage their gift cards carefully.

Set Collection: Collecting and strategically using decree cards and other tokens.

Worker Placement: Placing workers to travel around China, sail down the Grand Canal, purchase jade, and construct the Great Wall.

Game Objective: Players aim to gain influence and power by exchanging gifts with officials, ultimately seeking an audience with the emperor. The player who succeeds in this, or the player with the most victory points if multiple succeed, wins the game.

Player Experience

Playing **Gùgōng** involves strategic decision-making and long-term planning. Players must balance the value of the gifts they offer against the benefits they receive, navigating the intricate bureaucracy and corruption of the Ming Dynasty. The game features a strong element of engine building, requiring players to make their different mechanisms work in unison to maximize scoring. It is particularly rewarding for players who enjoy tight, efficient, and balanced strategies.

Pros

Deep Strategy: Offers complex and rewarding gameplay.

Thematic Depth: Richly themed in the history and culture of the Ming Dynasty.

Variety of Mechanics: Combines hand management, set collection, and worker placement effectively.

Good for Experienced Players: Ideal for players who appreciate games with high complexity and strategic depth.

Cons

Not for Beginners: Can be very heavy and complex for new players.

Long Playtime: Games can last between 60-90 minutes.

High Complexity: Requires careful planning and strategic thinking.

Personal Thoughts on Gùgōng

**Gùgōng** is a game tailored for experienced board game enthusiasts who relish complex strategies and historical themes. It is not recommended for beginners due to its high complexity and the need for tight, efficient play. For those who enjoy engine-building and navigating intricate game mechanics, **Gùgōng** offers a highly rewarding and immersive experience.

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