Masters of Venice (2009) Board Game

Masters of Venice is a board game released in 2009, designed by Jared Blando and published by R&R Games. The game is set in the Renaissance period in Venice, where players take on the roles of wealthy merchants competing to become the most successful in the city.

Game Components of Masters of Venice

Game board

Player boards

Merchant pieces

Influence markers

Coins

Action cards

Goods cubes

Guild cards

How To Setup Masters of Venice

Place the game board in the center of the table.

Each player chooses a color and takes a player board, merchant pieces, influence markers, and coins.

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

Place the goods cubes and guild cards within reach of all players.

Determine the starting player and begin the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

In Masters of Venice, players will engage in auction/bidding, commodity speculation, pick-up and deliver, simultaneous action selection, and stock holding. The objective is to accumulate the most wealth by investing in goods, completing guild contracts, and outmaneuvering your opponents.

Player Experience

Pros

Strategic depth with multiple pathways to victory.

Engaging auction mechanics keep players on their toes.

Beautiful artwork and thematic immersion.

Cons

Learning curve may be steep for new players.

Some luck involved with card draws.

Player interaction can be cutthroat, potentially turning off more casual gamers.

Personal Thoughts on Masters of Venice

Masters of Venice is a solid economic board game with a rich historical theme that will appeal to fans of strategy games. The build quality is decent, with detailed components that enhance the immersive experience. While the game may not be for everyone due to its complexity and competitive nature, it is definitely worth a try for seasoned gamers looking for a challenging and rewarding experience.

In terms of pricing and availability, Masters of Venice can be found both new and used online and in specialty board game stores. As for alternatives, games like Istanbul and Concordia offer similar economic gameplay mechanics for those interested in exploring different options. Overall, Masters of Venice is worth your time if you enjoy deep strategy games set in historical settings, but may not be suitable for casual or beginner gamers.

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