Inkan Aarre (2005) – Board Game Guys

Inkan aarre

Inkan aarre is a Finnish board game designed by Kari Mannerla as a direct sequel to his 1951 board game Afrikan tähti. The game was published in 2005 and is mostly similar to Afrikan tähti. The game board represents the continent of South America, and the currency used is the Mexican peso. All players start from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and the objective is to find the famous treasure of the Inca, a golden sun god statue, and take it or a sun icon to Machu Picchu, Peru.

Why is Inkan aarre Popular?

Inkan aarre is a popular board game in Finland and is considered a classic. It is significant because it is a direct sequel to Afrikan tähti, which is one of the most famous Finnish board games. The game has been enjoyed by generations of Finnish families and is a part of Finnish culture.

Game Components of Inkan Aarre

Board: Represents the continent of South America.

Tokens: Various tokens including a golden sun god statue (the Treasure of the Inca), sun icons, silver necklace, golden chalice, and demon tokens.

Currency: Mexican pesos.

Native American guide tokens: Allow players to travel anywhere on the map instantly.

Dice: Used for determining player movement.

Player counters: For each player to mark their position on the board.

How To Setup Inkan Aarre

To set up Inkan Aarre, all players start at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and each receives 300 Mexican pesos. The tokens are shuffled and placed face down in the cities on the board. Each player chooses a counter to represent them on the board.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Movement: Players roll the dice to determine how many spaces they can move.

Token Collection: Players can pick up tokens in cities they land on, either by paying 100 pesos or waiting until they roll a 4, 5, or 6.

Token Effects:

Silver Necklace: Gain 600 pesos.

Golden Chalice: Gain 1,000 pesos.

Demon: Lose all money.

Native American Guide: Travel to any place on the board instantly.

Travel: Players can travel by land for free, by sea for 100 pesos (embarkation and disembarkation), or by flight for 300 pesos.

Objective: The first player to take the Treasure of the Inca or a sun icon to Machu Picchu, Peru, wins the game.

Player Experience

Inkan Aarre offers a familiar yet slightly refreshed experience for fans of Afrikan tähti. The game maintains the core mechanics of its predecessor but introduces new elements such as the Native American guide tokens and the official rule allowing moneyless players to travel by sea for free. The game’s reliance on luck with the dice can make it somewhat unpredictable, adding an element of excitement and challenge.

Pros

Familiar Mechanics: Easy to learn for those familiar with Afrikan tähti.

New Tokens and Rules: Introduces fresh elements to keep the game engaging.

Quick Playtime: Games typically last between 15 to 45 minutes.

Exploration Theme: Engaging theme of exploring South America.

Cons

Highly Similar to Afrikan tähti: Might feel too similar, lacking significant innovation.

Luck-Based: Success heavily depends on dice rolls.

Limited Strategy: Gameplay is more about luck than strategic planning.

Personal Thoughts on Inkan Aarre

Inkan Aarre is for those who enjoy light, family-friendly games with an exploration theme. It is particularly suited for fans of Afrikan tähti looking for a similar experience with a new setting. However, players seeking a game with deep strategy or significant innovation might find Inkan Aarre too repetitive and reliant on luck. Despite this, it remains a fun and accessible game for a wide range of players.

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