Kanban EV (2020) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Kanban EV is a board game designed by Vital Lacerda and published by Eagle-Gryphon Games in in 2020. It is a reimplementation of the original Kanban: Automotive Revolution, but with an electric vehicle theme. The game focuses on the automotive industry and players take on the roles of managers in a car manufacturing company.

Game Components of Kanban EV

Game Board: A detailed, visually enhanced board representing an automotive assembly line.

Player Boards: Recessed boards for organizing parts and designs, complete with cutouts for tested designs.

Speech Bubbles: Tokens replacing cardboard seats for clearer scoring options.

Car Parts and Designs: Various components for assembling and testing electric vehicles.

Shift Tokens: Representing action points for player actions.

Training Certifications: For improving skills in different factory departments.

Meeting Goals and End-Game Goals: Cards outlining scoring opportunities.

How To Setup Kanban EV

Setting up Kanban EV involves preparing the game board, distributing player boards, and organizing the various components such as car parts, designs, and shift tokens. Each player chooses a starting position and receives initial training certifications. The game also includes setting up the meeting goals and end-game goals, which are crucial for scoring. The setup ensures that all players have a clear understanding of their starting conditions and the objectives of the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Worker Placement: Players place their worker in different departments of the factory to perform actions.

Resource Management: Manage suppliers, supplies, and recycling facilities to acquire necessary parts.

Time Management: Use shift tokens to optimize actions within a limited number of shifts per turn.

Innovation and Improvement: Improve and innovate automobile parts to boost production.

Training and Certifications: Acquire certifications to enhance skills in different departments.

Objective: Earn the most production points (PP) by efficiently managing the assembly line, impressing the factory manager Sandra, and achieving meeting and end-game goals.

Player Experience

Playing Kanban EV is a deeply strategic and engaging experience. The game requires constant planning and adaptation, as players must balance short-term needs with long-term goals. The interaction with other players is significant, as blocking or outmaneuvering opponents can be crucial. The game’s complexity is balanced by its streamlined mechanics, making each playthrough unique due to the variability in meeting and end-game goals. Despite its heavy mechanics, games can be completed in as little as 60-180 minutes, depending on the player count and experience level.

Pros

Deep Strategy: Offers a mix of tactics and long-term strategy.

High Replayability: Variable meeting and end-game goals ensure no two games are the same.

Interactive Play: Players must be mindful of their opponents’ actions.

Excellent Components: Top-notch production quality from Eagle-Gryphon Games.

Solo Mode: Includes a solo mode designed by Dávid Turczi.

Cons

High Learning Curve: The game requires multiple plays to fully understand and master.

Expensive: The game is priced at around $200 CAD (~$145 USD), which can be a significant investment.

Complex Rules: While the rules are streamlined, the game’s complexity can be overwhelming for new players.

Personal Thoughts on Kanban EV

**Kanban EV** is ideal for fans of heavy eurogames and those who enjoy complex resource and time management. If you are familiar with Vital Lacerda’s other games or enjoy games like **Lost Ruins of Arnak**, **Great Western Trail Argentina**, and **Ark Nova**, you will likely appreciate the depth and strategy offered by Kanban EV. However, due to its high price and learning curve, it is recommended to try the game through a meetup or digital implementation before purchasing. For those willing to invest the time and money, Kanban EV offers a highly rewarding and immersive gaming experience.

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