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Hijacked (2023) Board Game

ByMichail

Hijacked is a strategic card game set in the aviation industry, where players take on the roles of airline CEOs negotiating and making deals to outmaneuver their opponents. Designed by Mihajlo Dimitrievski, this game was released in 2023 and has quickly gained popularity for its unique gameplay mechanics and thematic elements.

Game Components of Hijacked

  • Board:** Fully-illustrated, though the composition is somewhat criticized for being half-baked.
  • Dice:** 2 dice per player per turn.
  • Tokens:** Wooden tokens, including crypto, medicine, intel, and food resources.
  • Cards:** Passenger cards, each uniquely illustrated, and hijacker cards with unique scoring objectives.
  • Meeples:** Used for various game actions.
  • Rulebook:** While it can be confusing, it guides players through the game.

    How To Setup Hijacked

    To set up Hijacked, players first prepare the board by placing the passenger cards and hijacker cards in their respective areas. Each player selects a negotiator and receives the starting resources and dice. The game also involves setting up the police timer, which indicates the limited number of turns before the police breach the plane. The rulebook provides a detailed setup guide, though it may require a thorough read to ensure everything is correctly in place.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Dice Placement:** Players roll 2 dice per turn and place them to activate various locations on the board.
  • Resource Gathering:** Players gather resources like crypto, medicine, intel, and food to meet passenger needs or bribe hijackers.
  • Passenger Cards:** Players visit the passenger card section, reveal passenger cards, and gain them by paying necessary resources and meeting trust level requirements.
  • Hijacker Negotiation:** Players can reserve and talk down hijackers over several turns to gain unique scoring objectives.
  • Corporate Objectives:** Available but not primary, these objectives add variety to the game.
  • Game Objective:** The primary goal is to gather sets of passengers to earn passenger and pilot tokens. The game ends when a player has negotiated the release of 3 passengers and 1 pilot, or when the police breach the plane.

    Player Experience

    In Hijacked, players experience a tense and strategic game environment. With limited turns available, players must use their dice efficiently to save hostages, manage resources, and negotiate with hijackers. The semi-cooperative element introduces a unique dynamic, where players can work together to delay the police breach but also compete for the most points. The gameplay moves quickly once players understand the rules, minimizing downtime.

    Pros

  • Unique Theme:** Immediately draws players in with its futuristic hijacking scenario.
  • Solid Artwork:** Illustrations by Macedonian artist Mihajlo Dimitrievski add personality and flavor.
  • Semi-Cooperative Interaction:** Provides a unique thematic interaction.
  • Quick Turns:** Ensures fast-paced gameplay with minimal downtime.

    Cons

  • Disjointed Mechanics:** Actions feel somewhat disconnected from the theme.
  • Confusing Rulebook:** Requires thorough reading to grasp the game concepts.
  • Challenging Coordination:** Matching point totals to delay the police can be tricky and often out of reach.

    Personal Thoughts on Hijacked

    Hijacked is ideal for fans of eurogames and those who enjoy strategic dice placement and set collection mechanics. The game’s unique theme and semi-cooperative elements add a layer of complexity and interaction that appeals to players looking for a blend of competition and cooperation. However, it may not be the best fit for players seeking a highly thematic experience, as the mechanics can feel somewhat abstracted from the game’s narrative. Overall, Hijacked offers a challenging and engaging experience for players willing to invest time in understanding its rules and mechanics.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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