Perfumery (2020) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Perfumery is a board game released in 2020 by Tactical Games. Designed by Totsuca Chuo and illustrated by Yota Suzuki, it falls under the categories of card game, economic, and industry/manufacturing. The game is designed for 2 to 4 players, with a playing time of 40 to 60 minutes. Players take on the role of perfume makers competing to create the most exquisite scents and build their perfume empires.

Game Components of Perfumery

Game Board: Depicts a French town, possibly Grasse in Provence, with spaces for perfume buyers, an ingredient market, a courtyard, and a score track.

Ingredient Tiles: Randomly drawn from a bag, each tile has a number of flasks and a coin value.

Aroma Dice: Three dice for each of the five possible perfume components.

Water Well Tokens: Used for collecting ingredients.

Clock Markers: Determine player order and actions per turn.

Perfumery Tiles: For building small and large perfume bottles.

Wooden Bottles: Represent finished perfumes.

Customer Tokens: Each has a favorite ingredient or set of ingredients.

How To Setup Perfumery

To set up the game, place the game board in the middle of the playing area. Seed the ingredient market with six ingredient tiles drawn randomly from the bag. Each player chooses a perfumery board and places it within reach. The aroma dice, water well tokens, and clock markers are placed on their respective spaces on the board. Customers are set up at the top of the board, each with their favorite ingredients displayed.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Order: Determined by clock markers, with the player in last place on the score track choosing first.

Actions: Players can take aroma dice, draw ingredient tiles, or take water well tokens. These actions are used to collect ingredients based on successful die results.

Perfume Creation: Players build perfumes using ingredient tiles, which must be placed in a specific order on their perfumery board.

Selling Perfumes: Players sell their finished perfumes to customers who have specific ingredient preferences. Unsold perfumes can be sold at a discount.

Scoring: Points are collected through selling perfumes and holding water well tokens. The game ends when the market cannot be refilled or the “end of game” customer is revealed.

Player Experience

In Perfumery, players are immersed in a strategic game of resource management and timing. Each turn, players must balance the need to collect the right ingredients with the constraint of limited actions. The game requires a mix of short-term tactics and long-term strategy, as players aim to create and sell the most valuable perfumes. The dynamic market and customer preferences add a layer of unpredictability, making each game unique.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Offers a rich blend of resource management and strategic planning.

Variable Setup: Ensures each game is different due to the random draw of ingredient tiles.

Engaging Mechanics: Combines dice rolling, resource collection, and market management.

Thematic Fun: Players enjoy the thematic experience of being master perfumers.

Cons

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

Luck Factor: The random draw of ingredient tiles and dice rolls can introduce significant luck.

Setup Time: Requires a bit of time to set up the board and distribute components.

Personal Thoughts on Perfumery

Perfumery is ideal for players who enjoy strategic games with a strong thematic element. It is particularly suited for those interested in resource management and planning ahead. While it may not be the best fit for casual gamers due to its complexity, it offers a rewarding experience for those willing to dive in and master the art of perfumery. The game’s unique blend of mechanics makes it a standout in the board game community, appealing to fans of games that require both strategy and a bit of luck.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.