Minerals (2019) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Minerals is an abstract strategy board game designed by Magdalena Śliwińska and published by IUVI Games in in 2019. The game is suitable for 2 to 5 players, with a recommended age of 8 and up. The gameplay revolves around grid movement, modular board, pattern building, set collection, and tile placement mechanics.

Game Components of Minerals

Mineral tiles: Colorful tiles representing different minerals.

Player pawns: Specially designed with suction cups to pick up mineral tiles.

Player boards: Each player has a board in their chosen color.

Tool tiles: Five tools, each requiring a specific mineral to use.

Collection cards: Used to exchange minerals for honor and fame.

♦ and ♦♦ cards: Used for various game mechanics, drawn and placed face-up or face-down.

How To Setup Minerals

To set up the game, start by taking all the minerals out of the pouch and ensuring all players participate in setting up the board. Place the mineral tiles colorful side up, ensuring each tile is adjacent to at least two other minerals, creating an undivided board with possible crevices. Each player chooses a color, takes the corresponding pawn and player board, and determines the first player (typically the oldest or the one who most recently excavated something). The first player and subsequent players remove one mineral of their choice from the board until five minerals are removed and returned to the pouch. Draw four ♦ cards and place them face-up next to the board, then shuffle the remaining ♦ and ♦♦ cards to form a face-down deck. Finally, place five Tool tiles on the table, ordered by mineral color.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Moving your pawn: Mandatory; allows you to excavate minerals by lifting the mineral tile with your pawn’s suction cup.

Using Tools: Optional; each tool requires a specific mineral and costs 1 point at the end of the game.

Exchanging Minerals for Collection cards: Optional; exchange minerals to gain honor and fame.

Game Objective: Collect and excavate minerals, exchange them for Collection cards, and maximize your points. The game ends when no valid moves are possible and no unoccupied wollastonite tiles remain.

Player Experience

Playing Minerals involves careful planning and strategic thinking. Players must navigate the board to collect valuable minerals while keeping an eye on their opponents’ moves. The use of tools adds a layer of complexity, as it can aid in reaching difficult minerals but at the cost of points. The game requires a balance between collecting raw minerals and converting them into Collection cards for higher rewards.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Encourages careful planning and strategic movement.

Interactive: Players must watch each other’s moves closely.

Variety: Different minerals and tools offer various strategies.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for a wide range of players.

Cons

Complex Setup: Setting up the board and initial mineral distribution can be time-consuming.

Tool Costs: Using tools can be costly in terms of points.

Luck Factor: Initial mineral placement and card draws can influence the game significantly.

Personal Thoughts on Minerals

Minerals is a game that appeals to fans of strategy and resource management. It is suitable for families and casual gamers due to its relatively simple rules but offers enough depth for more experienced players. The game is ideal for those who enjoy planning and executing careful moves, and it promotes a competitive yet friendly atmosphere among players. However, it may not be the best fit for those looking for a quick game setup or those who prefer games with less complexity in their rules and mechanics.

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