Marrakesh (2022) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Marrakesh is a city-building board game designed by Stefan Feld and published by Queen Games in in 2022. Set in the vibrant city of Marrakesh, players compete to become the most successful merchant by trading goods, building structures, and attracting visitors to their markets.

Game Components of Marrakesh

Main board

Player boards

Twelve colored, wooden cylinders (keshis) per player

Three assistant pawns per player

Grey, pink, yellow, and orange Scroll tiles

Luxury Goods tiles

Exchange Office tiles

Gates

River tiles

Provision tiles

Scoring markers

Water, dates, and gold resources

Cube tower with shelves

How To Setup Marrakesh

To set up Marrakesh, start by laying out the main board and populating it with the various tiles, including Scrolls, Luxury Goods, and randomly selected Exchange Offices. Place the gates in a bag, shake it, and draw eight gates to place on the Workshop spaces. Divide the River tiles by season and randomly select one for each of the three seasons, placing them along the top of the main board. Each player receives a set of keshis, three Provision tiles, a Scoring marker, and six Assistants. Place one Assistant on the start space of the river, the bottom step of the Palace staircase, and the bottom step of the Mosque staircase. The Scoring marker is placed on the 10 space on the Scoring track. Finally, randomize the Start player and distribute the necessary trackers.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Action Selection: Players secretly select three keshis and reveal them, placing their assistants in corresponding sectors on their Player boards.

Cube Tower Mechanic: Keshis are dropped into the cube tower, and those that emerge are drafted by players to enhance their actions.

Resource Management: Players manage water, dates, and gold resources to perform actions.

Victory Points: Players earn points by completing sectors, acquiring Luxury Goods, and trading resources.

Objective: The goal is to accumulate the most victory points by the end of the third season.

Player Experience

Marrakesh offers a deep and engaging experience with multiple layers of strategy. Players must carefully plan their keshi selections and assistant placements to maximize their actions and resource gathering. The cube tower adds an element of unpredictability, making each game unique. The game is played over three seasons, each consisting of four rounds, allowing for a balanced mix of short-term and long-term planning.

Pros

Deep Strategy: Offers complex decision-making and strategic depth.

Replayability: The cube tower mechanic and random tile placements ensure high replayability.

Thematic Immersion: The game is set in a richly themed environment of Marrakesh, enhancing the player experience.

Balanced Gameplay: The three-season structure provides a good balance between short-term and long-term strategies.

Cons

Component Issues: The original version had issues with the cube tower’s functionality, but the Essential Edition addresses this with an improved design.

Complex Setup: The setup process can be lengthy and intricate.

Learning Curve: New players may find the rules and mechanics overwhelming at first.

Personal Thoughts on Marrakesh

Marrakesh is ideal for fans of strategic eurogames and those who enjoy complex, thought-provoking gameplay. It is suited for players aged 14 and above who appreciate the challenge of managing resources and making tactical decisions. While it may not be the best fit for casual or new board game players due to its complexity, it is a standout game for experienced gamers looking for a deep and rewarding experience.

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