Res Publica (1991) Board Game

Res Publica is a board game that was first released in in 1991. It is a card game that falls under the category of civilization games, where players collect sets and trade to build their own civilizations. The game was designed by Peggy Coleman, Marko Fiedler, Jo Hartwig, Howard David Johnson, and Claus Stephan, and published by Queen Games.

Game Components of Res Publica

Cards: 140 cards in total, divided into people cards (60), technology cards (60), and cities & monuments (10 each).

People Cards: Representing Romans, Babylonians, Egyptians, Atlanteans, and Greeks.

Technology Cards: Focused on Metalworking, Wheel, Architecture, Chemistry, and Navigation.

Artwork: Illustrated by Howard David Johnson, though with a computerized feel.

How To Setup Res Publica

To set up Res Publica, each player starts with four People cards. At the end of each turn, the player draws one additional People card. This simple setup lays the groundwork for the intricate trading mechanics that follow.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Trading Mechanism: Players make trade offers, and each player in turn responds. This mechanism allows for strategic bidding and information passing.

Building Cities and Monuments: Players aim to collect five identical people cards to build a city, which increases card draw rates, or five identical technology cards to build a monument, which earns victory points.

Victory Points: The game ends with players tallying points from cities and monuments; the player with the most points wins.

Player Experience

Playing Res Publica involves a mix of strategic trading and tactical planning. The game is easy to learn but offers deep layers of strategy, particularly in the bidding and trading phases. Players must balance their need for specific cards with the information they reveal through their trades, making each game highly interactive and dynamic.

Pros

Balanced Trading: Items have different values to different players, ensuring a well-balanced trade game.

Strategic Bidding: Strict rules allow for considerable strategy and information passing during bidding.

High Replayability: The game remains engaging with multiple plays due to its dynamic trading mechanism.

Easy to Learn: Despite its strategic depth, the game is easy to understand and play.

Cons

Traditional Gameplay: While solid, the game is not particularly innovative compared to other trading card games.

Packaging Issues: The game’s box can be problematic, leading to cards mixing randomly.

Personal Thoughts on Res Publica

Res Publica is ideal for those who enjoy strategic trading games with a historical twist. It’s a great choice for players looking for a game that is easy to learn but challenging to master. While it may not stand out as highly innovative, its balanced mechanics and high replayability make it a solid addition to any board game collection. If you’re a fan of games like *Bohnanza*, you’ll likely appreciate the strategic depth and interactive nature of Res Publica.

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