Public Market (2021) Board Game

Public Market is a board game released in 2021, designed by James Churchill, Beth Sobel, and Jason Washburn. The game is published by an undisclosed publisher and falls under the puzzle category. With a runtime of 45–90 minutes, Public Market can be played by 2–4 players, but it is best enjoyed with 3–4 players. The game is targeted towards players aged 14 and above and features artwork by Talon Strikes Studios LLC.

Game Components of Public Market

Player boards

Worker meeples

Matching cubes

Purple gears

Red crab meeples

White fish meeples

Coin tokens

Ice chest cards

Polyomino fish tiles

Contract cards (Public Contracts and Today’s Catch)

Cannery logos

Scoring cubes.

How To Setup Public Market

To set up Public Market, each player receives a player board, a worker meeple, matching cubes, gears, crab and fish meeples, and coin tokens. The ice chest cards are distributed, and the contract cards are prepared. The ocean bag is filled with fish tiles, and the market values are set. Players choose their starting slots and begin the game by assigning their worker to one of the available slots.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Turn Order: Players assign their worker to slots, paying a set cost for potentially better rewards and turn order.

Fishing: Players choose to either fish by fitting polyomino tiles into their ice chest or go to market to sell their catch.

Market: Players sell fish based on current market values and complete contract goals.

Contracts: Two types of contracts – Public Contracts (repeatable with variable rewards) and Today’s Catch (fixed rewards).

Engine-Building: Gears add bonuses to fish types, helping players complete larger contracts.

Objective: Gain points by fulfilling contracts, selling fish, and collecting cannery logos and gears. The game ends when the ocean bag is empty, and the player with the most points wins.

Player Experience

Public Market offers a complex yet engaging experience. Players must navigate the delicate balance between bidding for valuable fish slots, efficiently fitting fish into their ice chest, and strategically choosing which contracts to fulfill. The game requires constant adjustments as market values and contract availability change. While the initial setup seems daunting, the core gameplay is simple and familiar, making it accessible once players get into the rhythm.

Pros

Dynamic Market: Market values change, offering varied strategic opportunities.

Engine-Building: Gears provide a satisfying progression mechanic.

Contract Variety: Multiple contract types offer diverse scoring possibilities.

Balanced Gameplay: Tight point totals indicate well-balanced gameplay.

Cons

Complex Setup: Initial setup can be overwhelming.

Strategic Overload: Numerous choices can make decision-making challenging.

Limited Grand Strategy: Focus is more on optimizing each turn rather than a long-term plan.

Personal Thoughts on Public Market

Public Market is ideal for players who enjoy solving ever-changing efficiency puzzles and are comfortable with a mix of auction, drafting, and engine-building mechanics. It is particularly suited for those who like games that require adaptability and strategic thinking on a turn-by-turn basis. If you’re looking for a game that keeps you engaged with its dynamic market and contract system, Public Market is a great choice. However, it may not be the best fit for players seeking a game with a simple setup or a long-term strategy.

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