Moai (2007) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Moai is a board game that was released in in 2007. It is designed by Lars Grant-West and Cyril Van Der Haegen and published by Face2Face Games. The game is set in ancient times and revolves around the iconic Moai statues of Easter Island. Players take on the roles of clan leaders competing to build the most impressive statues.

Game Components of Moai

Game board representing Easter Island

Villager tokens

Sorcerer tokens

Moai statues (small, medium, large)

Ahu tiles with special bonuses

Pukao hats

Resource tokens

Offering tiles

Wooden markers

How To Setup Moai

Setting up Moai involves preparing the game board, placing the moai quarry, and distributing the starting villager tokens to each player. Each player places their four starting villagers onto either the moai quarry or specific board spaces. The sorcerer token, which determines turn order, is also placed during this phase.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Worker Placement: Players place their villagers and sorcerers to influence turn order and control areas of the board.

Moai Building: Players build moai statues based on the placement of their villagers in the quarry. The size of the moai (small, medium, large) depends on the number and position of villagers.

Moai Transportation: Players transport their moai along chains of villagers to final destinations on the board, earning resources and Ahu tiles with special bonuses.

Resource Conversion: Players convert resources into offerings using pukao hats, which are transported across the map and placed on moai statues.

Objective: The goal is to score points by erecting moai, collecting resources, and converting them into offerings.

Player Experience

Playing Moai involves a delicate balance between short-term and long-term strategies. Players must decide whether to focus on early upgrades, resource collection, or building and transporting moai. The game requires strategic planning, as the placement of villagers and sorcerers significantly impacts the game’s outcome. The transport mechanism, while procedural, adds a layer of complexity and interaction among players.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Offers a rich strategic experience with multiple layers of decision-making.

Resource Management: Engaging resource collection and conversion mechanics.

Interactive Gameplay: Players interact through moai transportation and resource sharing.

Historical Theme: Set on Easter Island, providing a unique historical context.

Cons

Complexity: May be overwhelming for new players due to multiple phases and mechanics.

Length: Requires a significant amount of time to play through all phases.

Luck Factor: Some elements, like the draw of Ahu tiles, can introduce randomness.

Personal Thoughts on Moai

**Moai** is ideal for players who enjoy strategic eurogames with a mix of area control and resource management. It is not recommended for families or casual players due to its complexity and potential for aggressive gameplay. However, for those who appreciate deep strategy and are willing to invest time in understanding the mechanics, Moai offers a rewarding and challenging experience.

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