Rolnicy (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Rolnicy is a card game centered around farming, designed by Tomasz Larek and released in in 2018. The game is suitable for 2 to 4 players, with a recommended player count of 2 to 3. With a playtime of 30 to 45 minutes and an age rating of 10 and up, Rolnicy offers a fun and engaging experience for players looking for a light strategy game.

Game Components of Rolnicy

Crop cards featuring various crops like lavender, sunflowers, pumpkins, potatoes, and wheat

Some crop cards include a Barn, acting as “wilds”

Harvest Cards worth varying victory points

Private and communal farm grids

How To Setup Rolnicy

To set up Rolnicy, players start by drawing two random crop cards and placing them next to each other to initiate the communal farm. Each player is then dealt five crop cards and selects one to begin their private farm, which is limited to a 3×3 grid. The remaining cards are placed in a draw pile.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Tile Placement: Players use crop cards to build both private and communal farms.

Crop Cards: Each card has two fields, which can be crops or a Barn (wild card).

Harvesting: Players claim Harvest Cards when their crops reach a certain size, earning victory points.

Turn Structure: Each turn, a player performs one action (with an option for a second action), then draws two crop cards to maintain a hand size of four.

Game End: The game ends when the crop card deck runs out or a player harvests all five types of crops. Points are scored based on harvested cards and additional bonuses for collecting multiple harvest cards.

Player Experience

Rolnicy offers a dynamic and interactive experience where players must balance their private farm with contributions to the communal farm. The game requires strategic planning and defensive play, as players’ actions are visible to all, making it essential to monitor and respond to opponents’ moves. The game’s organic feel, with each session being unique, adds to its replay value.

Pros

Replayability: No two games are the same due to the random draw of crop cards and varying farm layouts.

Strategic Depth: Requires planning and defensive play to outmaneuver opponents.

Engaging Mechanics: The combination of private and communal farming adds a social and competitive element.

Simple to Learn: Easy to understand the basic rules, but challenging to master.

Cons

Visibility: All actions are public, which may not appeal to players who prefer more hidden information.

Limited Private Farm Size: The 3×3 grid limit for private farms can feel restrictive for some players.

Personal Thoughts on Rolnicy

Rolnicy is ideal for fans of tile laying and strategic card games who enjoy a mix of solo and communal gameplay. It is particularly suited for players who appreciate games that require planning, adaptation, and social interaction. For those who love farming themes or are looking for a game that combines simplicity with depth, Rolnicy is a delightful and challenging addition to any game collection.

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