Mexica (2002) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Mexica is a board game designed by Michael Kiesling and Wolfgang Kramer, released in in 2002. The game is set in the ancient Aztec empire, where players take on the roles of architects competing to build the most prestigious districts in the city of Tenochtitlan. With its unique blend of abstract strategy, city building, and territory building mechanics, Mexica has gained a reputation as a challenging and engaging game for 2 to 4 players.

Game Components of Mexica

Game board representing the city of Tenochtitlan

Canal tiles for partitioning the city

District tokens

Buildings and building levels

Bridges

Action points/chips

Player markers (chieftains)

Victory point tokens

Monument tokens

How To Setup Mexica

To set up Mexica, players first place the game board, which depicts the city of Tenochtitlan on an island in Lake Texcoco. Each player chooses a chieftain and places it on the board. The canal tiles, district tokens, buildings, and bridges are sorted and placed within easy reach. The game requires about 10 minutes to set up.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics:

Tile Placement: Players place canal tiles to partition the city into districts.

Area Control: Players compete to control and develop the most valuable districts.

Action Points: Each player has six action points to spend on various actions such as placing canals, moving bridges, building structures, and moving their chieftain.

Strategic Planning: Players must balance short-term tactical moves with long-term strategic goals.

Game Objective:

The objective is to gain the most victory points by controlling and developing the most valuable districts, building structures, and strategically placing your chieftain on monuments.

Player Experience

Playing Mexica involves a dynamic interplay of strategy and tactical maneuvering. Players must partition the city into districts, build structures, and place their chieftains to maximize their influence. The game is known for its open information, meaning all player actions and strategies are visible, leading to a competitive and sometimes disruptive environment where players can sabotage each other’s plans. This creates a narrative of district battles and strategic outmaneuvering, making each game unique.

Pros

Engaging Strategy: The game offers a deep strategic experience with multiple paths to victory.

Dynamic Gameplay: The use of canal tiles and bridges creates a different puzzle each game.

High Replayability: The game’s variability ensures that no two games are the same.

Thematic Integration: The game theme of building and managing districts in Tenochtitlan is well-integrated into the mechanics.

Cons

Competitive Aggression: The game can be quite confrontational, as players often disrupt each other’s plans.

Complexity: While the rules are simple, the strategic depth can be overwhelming for casual players.

Length: The game typically lasts 60-75 minutes, which may be too long for some players.

Personal Thoughts on Mexica

Mexica is ideal for experienced board game enthusiasts who enjoy strategic games with a high level of interaction and competition. It is not recommended for players who prefer cooperative games or those who are sensitive to direct competition and strategic sabotage. The game’s unique blend of tile placement, area control, and action point management makes it a standout in the strategic board game genre. However, it may not be the best fit for younger players or those looking for a light, casual gaming experience.

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