Newton (2017) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Newton is an abstract strategy board game that was released in in 2017. It is designed by Marbles: The Brain Store and Spin Master Ltd. The game is designed for 2 players and has a runtime of 5-15 minutes. Players must use pattern building mechanics to outsmart their opponent and achieve victory.

Game Components of Newton

Player Boards: Each player has a unique Study board with a pre-printed starting action symbol.

Action Cards: Three levels of action cards with basic action symbols and potential bonus symbols.

Master Cards: Provide additional bonuses and victory points.

Map Board: Represents Europe’s famous universities.

Technology Track Board: A board for advancing in technological discoveries.

Tokens and Cubes: Various tokens for tracking progress, coins, and travel cubes.

Books: 12 books per player for scoring points.

Bonus Tiles and Location Tiles: Randomized during setup, providing immediate benefits or long-term advantages.

How To Setup Newton

To set up Newton, players first receive their Study boards, player pieces, and an identical starting hand of action cards. The game includes two central boards: a map of Europe’s universities and a technology track board. Bonus tiles, location tiles, and development tiles are randomized and placed on the boards. Each player starts with 12 books and 2 coins. Master cards are either dealt evenly or passed around the players. The top three action cards from each deck are flipped over to begin the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Action Phase: Players take turns playing one card from their hand, performing the associated action (Work, Technology, Travel, Lessons, Study, or Joker).

Work: Move on the Work track and earn coins.

Technology: Advance on the technology track.

Travel: Move around the map of Europe.

Lessons: Add new cards to the hand.

Study: Fill up the bookshelf for points.

Joker: Replicate any action without bonus strength.

End of Round Phase: Players tuck one played card under their board, increasing future action values, and score points for completed rows and columns.

Objective: Accumulate victory points by visiting universities, advancing in technology, completing books, and using Master cards.

Player Experience

Newton offers a fast-paced, mid-weight Eurogame experience where players travel through Europe’s greatest universities, study, and send their students to work. The game is known for its clever card mechanism, which allows for intrinsic engine-building through the tucking of cards under the player board. This mechanism enhances future actions, making each turn more powerful. The game supports multiple strategies, such as focusing on Study, Technology, or Travel, each with its own set of rewards and challenges.

Pros

Engaging Card Mechanism: The card play is streamlined and clever, making the game enjoyable and easy to follow.

Multiple Strategies: Players can choose different paths to victory, such as studying, traveling, or advancing technology.

Solitaire Play: The game plays well as a solitaire game due to its low level of player interaction.

Replayability: Randomized setup and multiple paths to victory ensure high replayability.

Cons

Lack of Interaction: There is minimal player interaction, which might not appeal to players seeking more competitive games.

Visual Design: The game’s aesthetics are criticized for being dull and overly reliant on beige and brown colors.

Complex Study Action: The Study action can be fiddly and hard to grasp without additional explanations or tutorials.

Personal Thoughts on Newton

Newton is ideal for fans of Eurogames and those who appreciate strategic planning and engine-building mechanisms. While it may lack the vibrant visuals and high player interaction of other games, its unique theme and clever card play make it a standout. It is particularly suited for players who enjoy solo games or those who prefer to focus on individual strategies rather than direct competition. Despite some minor drawbacks, Newton offers a fun and challenging experience that rewards careful planning and strategic decision-making.

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