Quartz (2015) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Quartz is a board game designed by Sérgio Halaban and André Zatz, and published by Passport Game Studios in in 2015. It falls under the fantasy category and is designed for 3-5 players, with a runtime of 45-60 minutes. The game revolves around players taking on the roles of dwarves mining for valuable crystals in a dangerous cave filled with hazards.

Game Components of Quartz

Coin tokens

Mining cards

68 beautiful plastic crystals

A cloth mining bag

A main board

Five individual player boards

Dice (in the dice version).

How To Setup Quartz

To set up Quartz, each player starts by preparing their individual player board. The main board is placed in the center, and the cloth mining bag is filled with the plastic crystals. Players also receive a set of mining cards or, in the dice version, a set of dice. The game is divided into rounds, with each round representing a day in the mine.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Objective: The goal is to collect the most valuable set of crystals and sell them for the highest profit by the end of the game.

Mining: Players draw crystals from the bag and add them to their cart.

Rolling Dice: In the dice version, players roll dice to determine actions such as mining more gems, stealing gems from other players, or putting gems in a treasure chest.

Sabotage: Players can use certain actions to hinder their opponents, such as giving them undesirable crystals or stealing valuable ones.

Rounds: The game consists of 5 rounds in the original version and 6 rounds in the dice version.

Player Experience

In Quartz, players experience a mix of luck and strategy as they navigate the challenges of gem mining. The push-your-luck mechanic, though reduced in the dice version, still encourages players to balance risk and reward. The social interaction aspect, where players can sabotage each other, adds a fun and competitive element to the game.

Pros

Engaging Mechanics: The combination of mining and dice rolling creates an engaging gameplay experience.

Social Interaction: Sabotage mechanics allow for interesting player interactions.

Replayability: The random draw of crystals and the dice rolls ensure each game is unique.

Visual Appeal: The game includes beautiful plastic crystals and a well-designed board.

Cons

Reduced Push-Your-Luck: In the dice version, the push-your-luck mechanic is significantly reduced, which may disappoint fans of the original game.

Luck Dependency: The game can be heavily influenced by luck, which may not appeal to players seeking more strategic depth.

Personal Thoughts on Quartz

Quartz is ideal for players who enjoy a mix of luck, strategy, and social interaction. It’s a great fit for families or casual gamers looking for a fun, competitive experience. However, players who prefer games with deeper strategic elements might find the luck dependency and reduced push-your-luck mechanic in the dice version less appealing.

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