Kokopelli (2021) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Kokopelli is a card game released in 2021, designed by Markus Erdt and published by Queen Games. The game is inspired by the Native American deity Kokopelli, who is often depicted as a humpbacked flute player.

Game Components of Kokopelli

4 decks of cards with differently colored backs (1 deck per player), each containing 48 Ceremony cards in 16 different styles (3 of each style) and 6 Kokopelli cards.

16 Selection tiles.

4 Village boards (1 per player).

12 Game End tiles.

Victory Point tiles with different values (1s, 3s, 4s, and 10s).

How To Setup Kokopelli

To set up **Kokopelli**, randomly select 10 of the 16 Selection tiles and return the unselected ones to the box. Each player then returns the cards from their deck that match the unselected Selection tiles. The selected Selection tiles are placed in the center of the table, each seeded with a 3-point tile and then a 4-point tile on top. The Game End tiles and remaining Victory Point tiles are set aside. The rule book suggests shuffling the Selection tiles face down, but due to their tile nature, using a drawstring bag can significantly speed up setup and teardown.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card Management: Players manage their deck of Ceremony and Kokopelli cards.

Ceremony Completion: Players aim to start and complete ceremonies by adding the right cards.

Victory Points: Points are scored from completing ceremonies, and additional points can be earned from the cards in their playing area.

Actions: Players can perform actions like adding cards to ceremonies, cancelling ceremonies, exchanging cards, and more.

End Game: The game ends when the last Game End tile is placed or when a player draws the last card from their deck. Final scoring includes points from ceremonies, remaining cards in their hand, and additional points for having the fewest or second-most cards in their draw pile.

Player Experience

In **Kokopelli**, players compete to maximize their point scoring by strategically starting and completing ceremonies. Each player’s ceremonies are unique to them, and placement is crucial to protect and maximize point-scoring opportunities. The game requires strategic thinking and adaptability to outmaneuver opponents. While it is a fun and engaging game, it is not considered one of Stefan Feld’s strongest efforts.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Offers a good balance of strategy and tactical decisions.

Variety: With 16 different types of Ceremony cards, each game can be unique.

Family and Adult Friendly: Suitable for both families and adult gamers.

Engaging Mechanics: The game mechanics encourage strategic thinking and player interaction.

Cons

Fiddly Setup: The setup process can be cumbersome, especially with the tiles.

Insert Issues: The game insert is criticized for being poorly designed.

Not Feld’s Best: Some reviewers find it not as strong as other games by the same designer.

Personal Thoughts on Kokopelli

**Kokopelli** is a game that will appeal to fans of strategy and card management. It is suitable for families and adult gamers looking for a game that requires strategic thinking but is not overly complex. However, it may not be the top choice for those seeking a more streamlined setup or those who prefer other works by Stefan Feld. Despite its minor drawbacks, **Kokopelli** offers an engaging and challenging gaming experience.

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