Luxor (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Luxor is a strategic board game designed by Rüdiger Dorn and published by Queen Games in in 2018. The game is set in Ancient Egypt, where players compete to explore the famous temples of Luxor and collect valuable treasures along the way. With its unique mix of dice rolling, hand management, and race mechanics, Luxor has become a popular choice for players looking for a challenging and engaging gaming experience.

Game Components of Luxor

Game board featuring a twisting tunnel of 40 spaces

5 adventurer meeples per player

5-card hand of movement cards for each player

Treasure tiles with varying point values

Osiris tiles for boosting movement

Horus tiles for acquiring keys and better cards

Scarabs for secret end-game points

Temple tiles with various actions

Key tokens

Special Horus cards

How To Setup Luxor

To setup **Luxor**, each player starts with a hand of five basic movement cards and two active adventurer meeples. The remaining three meeples are placed on the board at specific spaces. The game board is populated with treasure tiles, Osiris tiles, Horus tiles, and other game effects. Players arrange the tiles according to the game’s rules, ensuring each space has its designated tile. The game is ready to start once all players have their initial meeples and cards.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Hand Management: Players manage a hand of five cards, playing either the left or right card each turn and drawing a new card to place in the middle of their hand.

Movement: Cards indicate the number of spaces a meeple can move forward or backward.

Treasure Collection: Players collect treasure tiles by matching the number of meeples on a tile to the number of adventurer icons on the tile.

Osiris and Horus Tiles: Use Osiris tiles to move forward and Horus tiles to acquire keys or better cards.

Game End: The game ends when the second meeple of any player enters the sarcophagus chamber.

Scoring: Points are awarded for collected treasures, sets of different treasures, scarabs, and the final position of meeples on the board.

Player Experience

**Luxor** offers a fun and strategic experience, blending the urgency of a race game with the satisfaction of set collection. Players must carefully plan their moves, managing their hand to optimize meeple placement and treasure collection. The game’s dynamic board, which changes as treasures are collected and new tiles are revealed, adds a layer of unpredictability and excitement. It is suitable for families and casual gamers but also provides enough depth for more serious players.

Pros

Accessible and Engaging: Easy to learn but with enough complexity for strategic play.

Dynamic Board: The board evolves as the game progresses, offering new challenges and opportunities.

Multiple Paths to Victory: Players can focus on different strategies such as treasure collection, meeple placement, or acquiring powerful cards.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players of all ages and skill levels.

Smooth Gameplay: Turns are quick, and the hand management system is intuitive.

Cons

Luck Element: The draw of new cards and the placement of tiles can introduce an element of luck that may affect strategy.

Space Management: Removing tiles from the board can disrupt other players’ plans, which can be frustrating.

Length: While generally quick, the game can sometimes feel too short or too long depending on player strategies.

Personal Thoughts on Luxor

**Luxor** is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a light to medium complexity game that combines strategy with fun. It is ideal for families, casual gamers, and those who enjoy games with a mix of luck and planning. The game’s unique mechanics and evolving board make it a standout in its category, ensuring that each playthrough is engaging and different. If you’re a fan of games like *Ticket to Ride* or *Sushi Go!,* you’ll likely find **Luxor** to be a delightful addition to your gaming collection.

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