Ishtar: Gardens of Babylon (2019) Board Game

Ishtar: Gardens of Babylon is a board game released in 2019 that is designed by Bruno Cathala and Evan Singh. The game is set in ancient Mesopotamia, where players take on the roles of gardeners competing to create the most beautiful hanging gardens for Queen Sammu-Ramat.

Game Components of Ishtar: Gardens of Babylon

Game board

84 tiles

72 gems

40 trees

16 palace cards

1 score pad

1 rulebook

How To Setup Ishtar: Gardens of Babylon

Place the game board in the center of the table.

Shuffle the tiles and place them face down in a pile.

Each player takes a set of trees and gems in their chosen color.

Place the palace cards near the board.

Determine the first player and start the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

In Ishtar: Gardens of Babylon, players will take turns collecting tiles to build their gardens, strategically placing trees and gems to earn points. The game revolves around area majority/influence, rondel, and tile placement mechanics. The objective of the game is to have the most beautiful garden by the end of the game and earn the most points.

Player Experience

Pros:

Beautiful artwork and components

Strategic depth with multiple ways to earn points

Quick gameplay with a good balance of luck and skill

Cons:

Some players may find it difficult to keep track of all the different ways to earn points

Limited player interaction

Personal Thoughts on Ishtar: Gardens of Babylon

Ishtar: Gardens of Babylon is a visually stunning game with solid gameplay mechanics that offer a good balance of strategy and luck. The game is well-designed and offers a unique theme set in ancient Mesopotamia. While the game may not appeal to everyone due to its complex scoring system, it is definitely worth a try for players who enjoy tile placement games with strategic depth.

Overall, Ishtar: Gardens of Babylon is a game that is worth your time if you enjoy games with beautiful artwork, strategic gameplay, and a unique theme. It is suitable for players aged 14 and above and can be a great addition to your gaming collection. However, if you prefer games with more player interaction or simpler mechanics, you may want to skip this one.

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