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Mississippi Queen: The Black Rose (1998) Board Game

ByMichail

Mississippi Queen: The Black Rose is an expansion for the base game Mississippi Queen, which was originally published in in 1998. Designed by Franz Vohwinkel, this nautical racing game has players piloting paddle wheel steamboats along the Mississippi River, picking up passengers and delivering them to various locations.

Game Components of Mississippi Queen: The Black Rose

  • Five plastic steamboats with numbered red and black paddlewheels (speed and coal indicators)
  • Six steamboats in the expanded version (including the new ship from **The Black Rose**)
  • 12 hex grid river tiles (one start tile)
  • 16 passenger tokens
  • 1 special die (straight ahead, turn left, turn right)
  • New river tiles with dangerous spots and coal depots from **The Black Rose**
  • 11-page rule booklet

    How To Setup Mississippi Queen: The Black Rose

    Each player is given a paddlewheeler, placed on the start tile in the order of the youngest player first, then moving clockwise. The speed of all boats is set to 1, and the coal is set to 6. The initial river tile is placed in the center of the table, and the other tiles are shuffled and placed face down.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Movement:** Players can increase or decrease their speed by 1 for free; additional changes cost coal. The boat must move the chosen number of hexes.
  • Turning:** The first 60-degree change is free; additional turns cost coal.
  • Running Aground:** If a ship runs out of coal and cannot avoid running aground, the player is out.
  • Objective:** The first ship to enter the wharf at the end of the river with a speed of 1 and carrying two passengers wins.

    Player Experience

    **Mississippi Queen: The Black Rose** offers a delightful blend of strategy and luck. Players must balance their speed and coal usage to navigate the winding Mississippi River, while also managing the unpredictable nature of the river tiles and the special die. The game is praised for its accessibility to both casual and experienced gamers, making it a great addition to family game nights.

    Pros

  • Family-friendly:** Easy to learn and suitable for players aged 10 and up.
  • Balanced Mechanics:** Combines tactical skill with elements of chance.
  • Engaging Theme:** Simulates a paddlewheel race down the Mississippi River.
  • Expansive Gameplay:** The addition of **The Black Rose** introduces new challenges and features.

    Cons

  • Component Assembly:** Some components can be a bit fiddly to assemble.
  • Luck Factor:** The roll of the die and the draw of river tiles can introduce significant randomness.

    Personal Thoughts on Mississippi Queen: The Black Rose

    This game is perfect for families and casual gamers who enjoy light to medium complexity games. It’s an excellent choice for those who appreciate a mix of strategy and luck, and the theme of a historical paddlewheel race adds a unique and engaging twist. While it may not appeal to hardcore gamers seeking deep complexity, it is a great addition to any game collection looking to offer something fun and accessible for a wide range of players.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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