Maloney’s Inheritance (1988)

Maloney’s Inheritance

Maloney’s Inheritance is a board game designed by Sid Sackson, first published in 1988. The game is inspired by the 1979 board game “Holiday,” which was later reworked into Maloney’s Inheritance and Shanghai. The game has gained popularity due to its simple yet strategic gameplay and the involvement of Sid Sackson, a renowned game designer.

Why is Maloney’s Inheritance Popular?

Maloney’s Inheritance is a popular game because:
– It is designed by Sid Sackson, a well-known game designer with a reputation for creating engaging and strategic games.
– The game combines elements of strategy, chance, and skill, making it appealing to a wide range of players.
– It has a unique theme and Gameplay Mechanics of Maloney’s Inheritance that set it apart from other board games.

Game Components of Maloney’s Inheritance

Game Board: A map of the United States with 16 cities connected by highways and a track showing the seven days of the week.

Action Cards: Each lists a city and the points awarded on each day of the week.

Suitcase Cards: Placed on each city, these can award up to 5 points or $1500, or penalize up to 3 points or $1000.

Limousine Token: Used to determine the destination city.

Joker Card: Allows a player to automatically win the limousine auction once per game.

Money: Used for auctions and scoring.

Day Marker: Tracks the current day of the week.

How To Setup Maloney’s Inheritance

To set up the game, place the day marker on Sunday. Each city on the board receives a facedown suitcase card. Each player is given 12 action cards, a joker card, and some money. The limousine token is placed on a randomly determined city.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Auction Mechanic: Start each turn with an auction for the right to drive the limousine and choose its destination.

Movement: The limousine can only move to a city one connection away from its current location.

Action Cards: Players redeem action cards for the points awarded on the current day when the limousine arrives at a city.

Suitcase Cards: The driver turns over the suitcase card at the destination city, receiving or losing points or money.

Double Points: Tuesdays and Fridays offer double points for redeeming action cards.

Game Objective: Accumulate the most points by the end of the game to win Maloney’s inheritance.

Player Experience

Players engage in a strategic race across the map of the United States, managing their action cards and money to maximize their points. The game balances strategy with a touch of luck from the suitcase cards, making each turn exciting and unpredictable.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Players need to calculate the best cities to visit and when to use their action cards.

Original Mechanics: The combination of auctions, action cards, and suitcase cards adds a unique twist to traditional board games.

Interactive: Players are engaged throughout the game, with opportunities to make tactical decisions each turn.

Cons

Luck Factor: Suitcase cards introduce an element of chance that can significantly impact the game’s outcome.

Complex Setup: The initial setup can be somewhat lengthy due to the distribution of action cards and suitcase cards.

Personal Thoughts on Maloney’s Inheritance

**Maloney’s Inheritance** is ideal for players who enjoy strategic planning and a bit of luck. It’s suited for 3-6 players aged 12 and above, making it a great addition to family game nights or gatherings with friends. The game requires a mix of intuition, calculation, and cunning, making it appealing to those who like to think ahead but also enjoy the excitement of unpredictable outcomes.

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