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Murano: Light Masters (2021) Board Game

ByMichail

Murano: Light Masters is a strategic board game released in 2021 by Matagot. It is designed by Carlo Camarotto and Francesco Testini, with artwork by Camille Durand-Kriegel and Sabrina Tobal. The game is set in the beautiful city of Murano, known for its glassmaking tradition, where players compete to become the most renowned glassmaker in the city.

Game Components of Murano: Light Masters

  • Selector ring**
  • Glass shards**
  • Creation cards** showing required glass shards and symbols
  • Lira (currency)**
  • Workbench**
  • Market spaces** on the board
  • Advantage cards** with special abilities
  • Player aids**

    How To Setup Murano: Light Masters

    To set up the game, each player is dealt five creation cards (six in a two-player game), which they cannot rearrange. The selector ring is positioned on the board, and the glass shards are placed in the supply. Each player sets up their workbench, and the market spaces on the board are prepared according to the rules.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Rotate the selector ring: Move the ring one notch clockwise to determine which glass shards to collect.
  • Collect glass shards: Take the two shards the selector is pointing towards, ensuring no more than eight shards are held.
  • Negotiate or exchange shards: Players can add shards to markets, buy shards from markets using lira, or sell shards for lira.
  • Complete creation cards: Use the collected shards to complete the top creation card in hand, gaining lira based on the empty spaces on the workbench.
  • Bonus actions: Perform actions like rearranging creation cards, rotating the outer ring, or activating advantage cards.
  • Objective: The game ends when one player completes all their creation cards. The player with the most lira wins.

    Player Experience

    Players take on the roles of Venetian glassmakers, collecting and exchanging glass shards to complete their creations. The game involves strategic planning and resource management, with each turn offering multiple options for shard collection and negotiation. While the game is easy to learn and quick to play, it may feel too easy for experienced players, and the iconography on the advantage cards can be unclear.

    Pros

  • Unique and fun theme: The game is set in the context of Venetian glassmaking.
  • Easy to learn and teach: Simple rules make it accessible to new players.
  • Quick turns and fast playtime: Games typically last between 30 to 40 minutes.
  • Strategic depth: Allows for forward planning and resource management.

    Cons

  • Too easy: May lack challenge for experienced players.
  • Low replayability: Limited variability in gameplay.
  • Unclear iconography: Advantage cards require frequent rulebook references.

    Personal Thoughts on Murano: Light Masters

    **Murano: Light Masters** is a great choice for new board game enthusiasts who are drawn to the unique theme of glassmaking. While it may not offer the complexity or replayability that seasoned gamers crave, it provides a enjoyable and visually appealing experience. The game’s quick playtime and easy-to-learn mechanics make it an excellent introduction to abstract strategy games. However, experienced players might find it too simplistic and lacking in long-term engagement.

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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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