Inca Empire: The Card Game (2020) Board Game

Inca Empire: The Card Game is a strategic card game set in the ancient Inca civilization. Players take on the roles of rival Inca rulers vying for control over territories and resources. The game is designed to capture the essence of the Inca Empire’s expansion and conquests.

Game Components of Inca Empire: The Card Game

Cards: Era cards, action cards, city cards, colca (storehouse) cards, workforce cards, trade agreement cards, and temple cards.

Tokens: Action tokens and supply tokens.

Road System: Components to build and extend the road network.

Cities and Colcas: Cards representing different regions (coast, plateau, mountains).

Temples and Terraces: Cards for constructing these structures.

How To Setup Inca Empire: The Card Game

To set up the game, players start by placing the starting road system and initial cities. Each player receives a set of action tokens and supply tokens. The game is divided into four eras, and at the beginning of each era, players activate tokens, deal Era cards, and prepare for the drafting phase.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Count: 2-5 players.

Play Time: 60-90 minutes.

Eras: The game is played over four eras.

Activate Tokens: Move tokens from supply to pool.

Deal Era Cards: Distribute a number of Era cards based on player count.

Draft Cards: Select two cards from the hand, placing them face up, and then select one card in turn order and another in reverse turn order.

Take Actions: Build cities, colcas, terraces, play workforce cards, make trade agreements, or pass.

Terminate Trade Agreements: End trade agreements at the end of each era.

Objective: The goal is to accumulate the most points by expanding the road system, building cities and colcas, constructing temples, and managing resources efficiently.

Player Experience

Playing Inca Empire: The Card Game involves making tough and interesting decisions, particularly in the card drafting phase where players must balance their needs with the risk of others taking their desired cards. The game encourages strategic thinking, bluffing, and meta gameplay, especially at higher player counts. The unique placement rules for cities and colcas add a puzzle element, requiring players to think ahead and block opponents strategically.

Pros

Deep Strategic Depth: Offers a rich experience with complex decision-making.

Interactive Gameplay: High player interaction, especially at higher player counts.

Variety in Scoring: Multiple ways to score points, such as placing tokens, stocking storehouses, and donating goods to temples.

Thematic Engagement: Immersive theme of building and managing the Inca Empire.

Cons

Fiddliness: Small action tokens can be tricky to manage and may get misplaced.

Less Interactive at Lower Player Counts: The game is more engaging with more players, as at two players, interaction is minimal.

Personal Thoughts on Inca Empire: The Card Game

Inca Empire: The Card Game is ideal for players who enjoy strategic resource management and efficiency puzzles. It is particularly suited for those who appreciate games with deep strategic depth and high player interaction. While it can be played with two players, the game shines at higher player counts, making it a great addition to any gaming group looking for a challenging and engaging experience. However, it may not be the best fit for those who prefer simpler, less fiddly games.

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