Minerva (2015) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Minerva is a board game released in 2015, designed by Hisashi Hayashi and published by Japon Brand. The game falls under the categories of City Building and Economic, where players take on the role of city planners in ancient Rome, striving to develop their cities by acquiring resources and completing contracts.

Game Components of Minerva

Game board

Player boards

Resource tiles

Building tiles

Coin tokens

Victory point tokens

Player markers

Dice

How To Setup Minerva

Place the game board in the center of the table.

Shuffle the resource tiles and place them face down on their designated spaces.

Shuffle the building tiles and place them face down on their designated spaces.

Give each player a player board, player marker, and some starting coins.

Determine the starting player and begin the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Players take turns drafting dice to take actions such as acquiring resources, constructing buildings, and fulfilling contracts. The objective is to accumulate victory points by strategically developing your city and meeting the requirements of end game bonuses.

Player Experience

Pros:

Engaging gameplay with strategic depth

Beautiful artwork and components

Replayability with different strategies to explore

Cons:

Limited player interaction

Can be overwhelming for new players

Luck of dice rolls can heavily influence gameplay

Personal Thoughts on Minerva

Minerva offers a satisfying blend of resource management and strategic decision-making, making it a compelling choice for fans of city building and economic games. The build quality is solid, and the artwork adds to the immersive experience. While the game may not be suitable for those seeking high player interaction, it appeals to those who enjoy strategic planning and optimizing their city’s growth.

In terms of pricing and availability, Minerva can be found both new and used at various retailers and online marketplaces. As for alternatives, games like Through the Ages and Terra Mystica offer similar gameplay experiences for those interested in this genre. Ultimately, whether Minerva is worth your time depends on your preferences for gameplay mechanics and theme. It is recommended for players who enjoy strategic challenges and building up their own empire in ancient Rome.

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