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Rococo (2013) Board Game

ByMichail

Rococo is a board game that was released in in 2013. It is set in the Age of Reason and focuses on economic aspects. Designed by Matthias Cramer, Stefan Malz, and Louis Malz, the game has received praise for its unique gameplay mechanics and strategic depth. The game is published by eggertspiele and features artwork by Michael Menzel.

Game Components of Rococo

  • Board (double-sided)
  • 55 Cards
  • 42 Dress Tiles
  • 48 Resource Tiles
  • 48 Prestige Point Tokens
  • 80 Wooden Property Markers
  • 16 Wooden Lace Markers
  • 16 Wooden Thread Markers
  • 5 Player Boards
  • 1 Cloth Bag
  • Start Player Marker
  • Original Instructions
  • Box liner.

    How To Setup Rococo

    To set up Rococo, players first place the double-sided board in the middle of the table. Each player chooses a player board and places it within reach. The resource tiles, dress tiles, and prestige point tokens are sorted and placed on their respective spaces on the board. The employee cards are shuffled and a starting hand is dealt to each player. The market is populated with new staff cards, designs, and materials. The start player is determined, and the game begins with the first player taking their turn.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

    Mechanics

  • Deckbuilding and Hand Management:** Players manage a deck of employee cards to perform various actions.
  • Action Selection:** Players select three cards to play each round.
  • Resource Management:** Gathering and using resources to create dresses and decorations.
  • Area Control:** Placing garments in grand halls to score points.

    Game Objective

  • The objective is to score the most prestige points by creating and selling dresses, providing decorations for grand halls, and efficiently managing your staff and resources. The game ends after seven rounds, and the player with the most prestige points wins.

    Player Experience

    Rococo offers a engaging and interactive experience, particularly appealing to fans of European-style board games. Players must balance hiring staff, managing resources, and creating dresses and decorations to maximize their prestige points. The game is known for its low downtime and snappy gameplay, making it enjoyable for both casual and hardcore gamers. However, the game may have a learning curve for new players, especially those unfamiliar with modern hobby board games.

    Pros

  • High-Quality Components:** Especially in the Deluxe edition, with polyresin lace and yarn tokens and excellent artwork.
  • Engaging Gameplay:** Interactive and outwardly focused, reducing the ‘multiplayer solitaire’ feel common in some Euros.
  • Multiple Strategies:** Various ways to score points, keeping the game interesting over multiple plays.
  • Low Downtime:** Quick actions and easy cleanup between rounds.

    Cons

  • High Price:** The Deluxe edition is particularly expensive, which may be a barrier for some players.
  • Iconography Issues:** Some icons may need better explanation, and the player aids could be improved.
  • Limited Access to Key Cards:** Players in the lead can compound their advantage by acquiring the best cards at the market.

    Personal Thoughts on Rococo

    Rococo is ideal for fans of economic and strategic board games, particularly those who enjoy European-style games with deep deck management and resource optimization. While it may not be the best game ever made, it is a solid and enjoyable addition to any gaming collection. However, the high price of the Deluxe edition might make it less accessible to some players. If you’re looking for a game that offers a lot of replayability and interaction, Rococo is definitely worth considering, but weigh the cost against the enhanced components and gameplay experience.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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