Hacienda (Second Edition) (2019) Board Game

Hacienda is a board game that was first released in 2005 by renowned designer Wolfgang Kramer. The second edition, released in 2019, was designed by Clément Masson and published by White Goblin Games. It is a game that combines elements of farming, animal management, and territory building, making it a unique and engaging experience for players.

Game Components of Hacienda

2 double-sided game boards

72 Animal cards (18 each of Sheep, Bulls, Horses, and Pigs)

80 Land cards (14 each of Mountains, Forests, Meadows, Rocks, and Swamps)

80 Land tiles (each side showing different player colors)

150 Animal tokens (30 tokens per player color)

72 Money cards

9 Haciendas

8 Harvest tokens

18 Water tiles (in different shapes and sizes)

5 Score markers

1 Starting Player tile.

How To Setup Hacienda

To set up the game, each player starts with 20 pesos, eight land cards, and four animal cards. The remaining land and animal cards are arranged in face-down stacks. Four land cards and four animal cards are openly displayed in ‘the offer’. Players choose their color and receive the corresponding animal tokens and a score marker. The game board is set up with the pampas fields and markets. Each player places their starting land tiles and animal tokens according to the initial hand of cards.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Key Mechanics:

Resource Management: Players manage pesos, land cards, animal cards, and tokens.

Tile Placement: Players place land tiles and animal tokens on the board.

Economic Engine: Players earn money by selling animals to markets.

Action Points: Each turn, players can perform three actions from a set of possible actions.

Game Objective:

Build Ranches: Claim land and place land tiles.

Herd Animals: Place animal tokens adjacent to land tiles or identical animals.

Sell to Markets: Earn money by placing animals near markets.

Build Haciendas and Water Pools: Use pesos to build haciendas and water tiles for additional points.

Harvest: Earn pesos by placing harvest tokens on land tiles.

Score Points: Score points for markets reached, land tiles in chains, water tiles, haciendas, and money. The player with the most points wins.

Player Experience

In Hacienda, players immerse themselves in the challenging life of an Argentinian farmer, navigating the complexities of land management, animal herding, and market sales. The game offers a high level of replayability due to the variable board setup and the different strategies that can be employed. Players must balance short-term gains with long-term goals, making it a engaging and strategic experience.

Pros

High Replayability: Variable board setups and multiple strategies.

Deep Strategy: Requires careful planning and resource management.

Economic Depth: Simulates the economic challenges of farming and market sales.

Visually Appealing: The game boards and components are well-designed and thematic.

Cons

Complex Rules: The game has a steep learning curve due to its numerous mechanics.

Long Setup Time: Setting up the game can be time-consuming.

Limited Interactions: Player interactions are mostly indirect, focusing on individual strategies.

Personal Thoughts on Hacienda

Hacienda is perfect for fans of Eurogames and those who enjoy resource management and strategic planning. It offers a rich and challenging experience that appeals to players looking for depth in their games. However, it may not be the best fit for casual gamers or those seeking direct player interaction. If you’re ready to dive into the world of ranching and economic strategy, Hacienda is an excellent choice.

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