A board game named "Marrakech" with colorful, patterned artwork depicting a vibrant market scene with merchants and fabric-covered stalls, displayed on a wooden surface. The game is for ages 8 and up, created by Dominique Ehrhard, with various logos indicating publishers or certifications on the bottom left corner.
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Marrakech (2007)

ByMichail

Marrakech

Marrakech is a board game designed by Dominique Ehrhard in which players are competing carpet traders in the city of Marrakech. It was first published in 2007. The game has won several awards, including the 2008 French As d’Or award and the Austrian Österreichischer Spielepreis award. It was also one of the recipients of the 2009 Mensa Select awards and was nominated for the 2008 German Spiel des Jahres award and the 2009 Japan Boardgame Prize U-more Award.

Why is Marrakech Popular?

Marrakech is a popular game due to its simple rules and accessible gameplay, making it easy for children to learn and enjoy. The game also has a tactical element that can be enjoyed by adults. The game’s components are visually appealing, and the game’s theme of carpet trading in Marrakech adds to its charm.

Game Components of Marrakech

  • Game Board: A 7×7 grid where players place their carpets.
  • Carpets: Colorful felt pieces, each taking up two squares, in four different colors.
  • Trader Piece (Assam): A single piece that moves around the board based on a six-sided die roll.
  • Dirhams (Coins): Used for payments and scoring.
  • Dice: A six-sided die to determine Assam’s movement.

    How To Setup Marrakech

    To set up the game, lay out the 7×7 grid board within reach of all players. Place Assam, the trader piece, in the center square. Each player selects a color and collects all the carpets of that color. Give each player 30 Dirhams. Determine the starting player, who receives the six-sided die.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

    Mechanics

  • Area Majority / Influence**
  • Roll / Spin and Move**
  • Tile Placement**

    Game Objective

  • Players aim to earn Dirhams by placing their carpets strategically so that when Assam moves onto them, they receive payments.
  • The goal is to have the most exposed carpets and to collect the most Dirhams.
  • Each turn involves turning Assam 90º to the right or left, rolling the die to move Assam, and then placing a carpet on the board.

    Player Experience

    Marrakech is praised for its easy-to-learn rules, making it accessible to families and children. However, the game also offers enough strategy to keep experienced players engaged. The game starts off relatively straightforward, with players avoiding each other’s carpets, but it becomes more tense as the board fills up. Players must balance the need to earn Dirhams with the goal of keeping their carpets exposed for end-game scoring.

    Pros

  • Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it accessible to all ages.
  • Colorful and Aesthetic: Unique felt carpet pieces and a beautifully designed board.
  • Balanced Strategy: Combines luck from the die rolls with strategic carpet placement.
  • Family-Friendly: Suitable for families and a great filler game.

    Cons

  • Limited Depth: May not offer enough complexity for experienced gamers.
  • Randomness: Die rolls introduce a significant element of luck.
  • Two-Player Variant: Requires each player to manage two types of carpets, which can be challenging.

    Personal Thoughts on Marrakech

    Marrakech is ideal for families and casual gamers looking for a quick, fun, and visually appealing game. While it may lack the depth to keep hardcore strategists entertained in the long term, it serves perfectly as a filler game or an introduction to more complex board games. Its unique mechanics and beautiful components make it a standout in its category.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl