Moon River (2023) Board Game

Moon River is a board game designed by Bruno Cathala and Yohan Servais, with artwork by Régis Torres. It was published by Blue Orange (EU) in in 2023. The game is set in the American West and revolves around territory building mechanics, where players compete to establish control over the moonlit river and its surrounding areas.

Game Components of Moon River

96 Puzzle Tiles

4 Reservation boards

8 Wooden Cowboy Tokens

32 Wooden Cow tokens

20 Partner tokens

1 Saloon board

1 Score pad

Illustrated Rules

2 Landscape Bonus tiles (for the 2-player game).

How To Setup Moon River

To set up Moon River, each player starts by taking a Reservation board. The puzzle tiles are shuffled and placed in a column in ascending order, with the lowest numbered tile closest to the box. Players draw meeples randomly and place them on the tiles they wish to claim. A second column of tiles is then drawn and placed in ascending order. The Saloon board is set up with 5 Partner tokens. This setup prepares the game for the players to begin expanding their ranches along the Moon River.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Tile Placement: Players collect and combine half-dominoes to form full dominoes.

Puzzle-Solving: Each domino must be connected to either a bridge on the Reservation board or another domino.

Resource Management: Players manage resources (nuggets, beavers, corn) and cows to score points.

Turn Order: Determined by the location of meeples on the tiles.

Actions: Collect plot tile, expand ranch, select new plot tile.

Antagonistic Actions: Players can steal cows or exchange tiles with other players’ Reservation areas.

Objective: Score points by building territories, managing resources, and using Partner tokens effectively.

Player Experience

In Moon River, players embark on a journey to develop lands inherited along the Moon River, navigating the challenges of the Wild West. The game requires strategic planning to optimize land use, manage resources, and protect herds from thieves and droughts. The introduction of antagonistic actions adds a layer of urgency and social interaction, making the game more dynamic and engaging.

Pros

Variability and Randomization: The use of half-dominoes provides more variability in each play.

Strategic Depth: Combines tile placement with resource management and puzzle-solving.

Interactive: Antagonistic actions create a fun and competitive environment.

Thematic: Immersive Wild West theme with detailed components.

Cons

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

Time Pressure: The need to place dominoes quickly to avoid theft can be stressful.

Luck Element: Random draw of tiles and meeples can affect gameplay.

Personal Thoughts on Moon River

Moon River is ideal for fans of Kingdomino and those who enjoy strategic tile placement games with a twist. It’s suited for players looking for a game that combines resource management with social interaction and puzzle-solving. While it may be too complex for casual gamers, it offers a deep and engaging experience for those willing to invest time in learning its mechanics. If you’re looking for a game that challenges you strategically while providing a fun and interactive experience, Moon River is an excellent choice.

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