Lata (2023) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Lata is a board game designed by Costa and Rôla, published by PYTHAGORAS in in 2023. The game falls under the category of card games and focuses on the industry/manufacturing theme. With a runtime of 20-45 minutes and suitable for players aged 8 and above, Lata offers a mix of strategy and competition for 1-4 players.

Game Components of Lata

Production cards

Scoring cards

Factory player sheets

Action points

Cube tokens (silver, red, and yellow)

Market cards

Money tokens

How To Setup Lata

To set up *Lata*, each player starts with a factory player sheet and a set of initial Production cards. The central area is filled with additional Production cards, and the Market and Scoring card decks are prepared. Players also receive a starting amount of money and action points. The game is divided into six rounds, each with four distinct phases.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Action Point Allowance System: Players bid action points for turn order through a secret auction or an open auction variant.

Engine-Building: Players add Production cards to their factory, potentially covering existing cards.

Resource Management: Players manage action points, cube production, and money.

Variable Setup: Different production engines and Market cards create varied gameplay experiences.

Game Objective

The objective is to produce and sell canned fish (sardines, sardines packed in tomatoes, and mackerel packed in olive oil) to international customers while optimizing factory production and scoring the most victory points through Scoring cards.

Player Experience

In *Lata*, players engage in a tight engine-builder where they must strategically manage resources and plan their factory’s production. Each round consists of four phases: bidding for turn order, adding Production cards to the factory, producing and selling fish, and buying Scoring cards. The game requires thoughtful decision-making and resource budgeting, making it a challenging yet rewarding experience.

Pros

High Replay Value: Varied production engines and Scoring cards ensure different gameplay experiences.

Deep Strategy: Players must balance action points, cube production, and money effectively.

Solo Mode: Includes a solo game variant with customized strategies.

Thematic Engagement: Unique theme of canning and selling fish adds a unique twist.

Cons

Steep Learning Curve: Scoring card options can be cumbersome to learn and track.

Significant Turn Order Impact: Bidding for turn order can be pivotal but sometimes feels like a blind guess.

Potential for Over-Bidding: Bidding all action points for turn order can leave a player unable to perform other actions.

Personal Thoughts on Lata

*Lata* is best suited for experienced board game enthusiasts who enjoy engine-builders and resource management games. The game’s complexity and strategic depth make it ideal for players looking for a challenging and rewarding experience. However, new players may find the rules and scoring mechanisms somewhat daunting. Overall, *Lata* offers a unique and engaging gameplay experience that stands out with its thematic focus on the canning industry.

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