Macao (2009) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Macao is a board game that was released in in 2009. It is designed by Julien Delval and Harald Lieske, and published by alea and Ravensburger. The game is set in the Portuguese trading colony of Macau during the Age of Sail. Players take on the role of traders trying to establish their businesses and gain influence in the city.

Game Components of Macao

Game board

Player boards

Cards

Dice

Tokens

Counters

How To Setup Macao

Place the game board in the center of the table.

Each player receives a player board, cards, dice, tokens, and counters.

Shuffle the cards and place them face down on the designated area of the board.

Determine the starting player and begin the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

In Macao, players take turns rolling dice to perform various actions such as acquiring goods, building ships, and trading with the locals. The objective of the game is to earn the most victory points by the end of the game, which is determined by the player’s influence in the city.

Player Experience

Pros:

Engaging gameplay with strategic depth

Beautiful artwork and components

Unique mix of mechanics including action points and dice rolling

Cons:

Steep learning curve for new players

Luck factor with dice rolls may frustrate some players

Personal Thoughts on Macao

Macao is a solid board game that offers a challenging and immersive gaming experience. The game’s mix of mechanics keeps players on their toes, and the strategic decisions to be made are satisfying. The build quality of the game is top-notch, with beautiful artwork and components that enhance the overall experience.

In terms of pricing and availability, Macao can be found at a reasonable price for both new and used copies. As for alternatives and similar games, fans of Macao may also enjoy other Euro-style board games such as Puerto Rico or Concordia.

In conclusion, Macao is definitely worth your time if you enjoy strategic board games with a nautical theme. It is recommended for players who enjoy complex gameplay and are willing to invest the time to learn the rules. However, those who prefer lighter games or are not fans of dice rolling mechanics may want to skip this one.

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