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Il Vecchio (2012) Board Game

ByMichail

Il Vecchio is a board game designed by Andreas Resch and released in in 2012. The game is set in the Renaissance period, where players take on the roles of powerful families competing for influence in the city of Florence. The game combines elements of strategy, area control, and resource management, offering players a challenging and immersive gaming experience.

Game Components of Il Vecchio

  • Game board depicting the Tuscany Region and Florence
  • Family member tokens
  • Middleman tokens
  • Province tiles
  • City council and nobility tiles
  • Followers (knights, assassins, abbots)
  • Money and scrolls
  • Carriages and bishops
  • Medici crest tiles
  • Location-specific action symbols

    How To Setup Il Vecchio

    To set up Il Vecchio, each player starts with four family members on the board in Tuscany. The middlemen tokens are placed according to the starting positions indicated on the board. The province tiles, city council and nobility tiles, and other resources are prepared and made accessible to the players. The Medici crest tiles are stacked, indicating the remaining power of the Medici family.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

    Mechanics:

  • Worker Placement:** Players place their family members in various towns to perform actions.
  • Resource Management:** Collecting money, scrolls, and followers.
  • Middlemen:** Required for most actions, these tokens move after each use.
  • Travel:** Moving family members to different locations.
  • Province Control:** Taking over provinces in outside regions.
  • Florence Influence:** Gaining city council or nobility tiles.

    Objective:

    The goal is to build up your family’s influence to take over Florence by controlling provinces, gaining positions in the city council, and enhancing your noble rank. This is achieved by collecting power points and special abilities.

    Player Experience

    In Il Vecchio, players navigate the intricate network of Tuscany, managing their family members to optimize actions. The game requires strategic planning, as the availability of middlemen and the positioning of family members are crucial. Players must balance resource collection, province control, and influence in Florence to emerge victorious.

    Pros

  • Unique Mechanics:** The middleman system adds a layer of complexity and realism.
  • Strategic Depth:** Multiple paths to victory require careful planning.
  • Double Turn Option:** Allows for strategic flexibility in the final round.
  • Thematic Integration:** The game setting and mechanics align well with the historical context.

    Cons

  • Theme Pasted On:** Some players feel the theme is not deeply integrated into the gameplay mechanics.
  • Complexity:** The game can be overwhelming for new players due to the many interacting elements.

    Personal Thoughts on Il Vecchio

    Il Vecchio is ideal for fans of strategic worker placement games who enjoy a mix of resource management and area control. While it may not offer a deeply immersive theme for every player, its unique mechanics and challenging gameplay make it a compelling addition to any board game collection. If you’re looking for a game that demands foresight and careful planning, Il Vecchio is definitely worth checking out.

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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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