Heart of Africa (2004) Board Game

Heart of Africa is a board game released in 2004 by Mayfair Games. Designed by Andreas Steding, the game is set in Africa in the 19th century during the time of European colonization. Players take on the roles of explorers and try to establish trading posts in various regions of Africa.

Game Components of Heart of Africa

Map of the Heart of Africa

Destination Tickets

New Terrain cards (45 cards divided into 3 different Terrain Types)

Rules[3’.

How To Setup Heart of Africa

To set up the game, players start by placing the new map board of the Heart of Africa on the table. Each player selects their train cars and places them on the starting locations. Players are dealt a set of Destination Tickets, which are secret objectives to connect specific cities. The Terrain cards and Train cards are shuffled and placed within reach of all players. Each player draws a set of Train cards and one Terrain card to start the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Route Building: Players collect and play matching Train cards to claim railway routes connecting cities on the map.

Terrain Cards: Players can draw Terrain cards, which can be used to double the points for claiming routes of the same color. Each Terrain Type is associated with different Route colors.

Destination Tickets: Players aim to fulfill their secret Destination Tickets by building routes between specific cities.

Game Objective: The objective is to score the most points by building routes, fulfilling Destination Tickets, and using Terrain cards strategically to maximize points.

Player Experience

Players find **Heart of Africa** engaging and challenging, with the addition of Terrain cards adding a new layer of strategy. The game is praised for its beautiful and high-quality components, as well as its ability to teach geography and strategic thinking. The variety in gameplay, including the option to use or ignore Terrain cards, allows for multiple ways to win, keeping the game fresh and interesting over multiple plays.

Pros

New Strategy Layer: Terrain cards add an additional layer of strategy and choice to the game.

High-Quality Components: The map and cards are built to last and visually appealing.

Geographical Learning: Players learn about African geography while playing.

Flexible Gameplay: Players can tailor the game to their preferences by choosing to use or ignore Terrain cards.

Replayability: Multiple ways to win and varied gameplay ensure high replayability.

Cons

Learning Curve: Some players find the introduction of Terrain cards slightly complex at first.

Score Tracking: The game requires careful score tracking, especially if players lap each other on the scoring track.

Mixed Opinions on Train Pieces: Some players are not fond of the train pieces included in the expansion.

Personal Thoughts on Heart of Africa

**Heart of Africa** is a great addition to the Ticket to Ride series, particularly for those looking to freshen up their gameplay experience. It is ideal for fans of strategy and train route-building games who enjoy a bit of geographical exploration. The game is suitable for families and casual gamers due to its engaging and educational nature, but it also offers enough complexity for experienced players to enjoy. If you’re looking to expand your Ticket to Ride collection and add some new challenges, **Heart of Africa** is a worthwhile investment.

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