Malta! (2010) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Malta! is a card game released in 2010 by designer Archon Creative Design and Tim Mierzejewski. It is a game that involves hand management, a modular board, and player elimination mechanics. The game is set in the historic Mediterranean island of Malta, known for its strategic location and rich history.

Game Components of Malta!

Player boards: Each player has a board for their deck and resources.

Building cards: Representing different types of buildings in Valletta.

Action cards: Green, blue, and yellow cards for resource collection, building actions, and scoring points.

Good tokens: Coins, bricks, stone, and wood.

Jean Parisot de Valette meeple: Used to track the end of the game.

Barrel tokens: Placed on the Valette track to mark progress.

Starting houses and goods: Each player begins with eight houses and a single good.

How To Setup Malta!

To set up **Malta**, players start by placing the street board in the center of the table. Building cards are shuffled and distributed in rows above and below the street board. Each player receives eight houses in their color, a starting deck of eight cards, and a single starting good. The deck is shuffled, and each player draws a hand of five cards. The Jean Parisot de Valette meeple is placed at the top of the street board, and barrel tokens are placed on the Valette track.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

**Gameplay Mechanics:

Deck-building: Players expand their decks through card play.

Resource Management: Managing goods like coins, bricks, stone, and wood.

Tactical Card Play: Using action cards to execute various actions.

Building Construction: Constructing and upgrading buildings in Valletta.

**Game Objective:

The goal is to score the most victory points by constructing buildings, collecting resources, and using action cards effectively. The game ends when Jean Parisot de Valette reaches the final barrel on the track, a player has built their eighth and final house, or a player scores 25 or more points.

Player Experience

**Malta** offers a engaging mix of strategic planning and tactical execution. Players must survey the game layout at the start to develop a plan, which involves managing resources, building structures, and utilizing action cards efficiently. The game requires advanced planning from the outset, making it appealing to fans of complex strategy games.

Pros

Engaging Strategy: Combines tactical card play, deck-building, and resource management.

Replayability: Random draw of cards ensures different game setups each time.

Historical Context: Set in the 16th century, adding a historical layer to the game.

Simple to Learn: Basic card mechanics make it accessible to new players.

Cons

Complexity: May be overwhelming for younger or less experienced players.

Length: Game duration can range from 40 to 80 minutes.

Limited Player Count: Designed for 2-4 players, limiting larger group participation.

Personal Thoughts on Malta!

**Malta** is ideal for players who enjoy strategic city-building games with a strong focus on resource management and deck-building. It is suitable for families with older children (aged 10 and above) and experienced gamers looking for a game that requires thoughtful planning and execution. If you enjoy games like *Carcassonne* or *San Juan*, **Malta** will likely appeal to you. However, it may not be the best fit for those seeking quick, simple games or those who prefer games with a large player count.

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