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RYŪ (2015) Board Game

ByMichail

RYŪ is a science fiction board game released in 2015, designed by Bertrand Benoit, Romain Gaschet, and Ian Parovel. The game is set in a futuristic world where players take on the roles of powerful leaders competing for control of the planet RYŪ. With its unique blend of action points, auction/bidding, and set collection mechanics, RYŪ offers an immersive and strategic gameplay experience for 2-5 players.

Game Components of RYŪ

  • Board:** Comprising nine island hexes arranged in a circle, with five belonging to each nation and four neutral islands.
  • Cubes:** Five colors of cubes (including Rare Metal, Memory Stone, and Amber Magic) that are crucial for building the dragon spaceship.
  • Tokens:** Merchant, smuggler, governor, and exploration tokens that provide various abilities and resources.
  • Player Pieces:** Unique dragon pieces for each player.
  • Island Tiles:** Special tiles for nations not chosen in games with fewer than five players.

    How To Setup RYŪ

    To set up RYŪ, players place the nine island hexes in a random order in a circle. Each player selects a nation and places the corresponding cubes in the bag based on the number of players. Each player starts with two yellow cubes and may receive a merchant or smuggler token depending on the turn order. The exploration token is also distributed at the start.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Resource Gathering:** Players gather resources by exploring islands, drawing cubes from the bag, and using neutral islands for special actions.
  • Cube Drafting:** Players draft cubes, which can involve exploring other players’ islands and negotiating resources.
  • Building the Dragon:** Players build their dragon spaceship by gathering the necessary resources and using tokens to overcome resource shortages.
  • Special Actions:** Using merchant guilds, smugglers, bazaars, and the galactic government on the different planets for various benefits.
  • Objective:** The first player to complete all sections of their dragon spaceship wins the game.

    Player Experience

    RYŪ offers a dynamic experience with a mix of cooperation and competition. Players must navigate the randomness of cube drafting while strategically using their tokens and special actions to gain an advantage. The game is relatively lightweight and typically lasts 45-60 minutes, making it accessible for families and casual gamers. However, the game’s repetitive nature and significant randomness might deter some players.

    Pros

  • Engaging Mechanics:** The combination of resource management, cube drafting, and special actions keeps the game engaging.
  • Quick Gameplay:** Games are relatively short, lasting 45-60 minutes.
  • Family-Friendly:** Suitable for players aged 10 and above, making it a good option for family game nights.
  • Unique Theme:** The sci-fi setting with diverse humanoids adds a unique twist to the game.

    Cons

  • Randomness:** The game has a high level of randomness, which can make players feel they have little control over their resource gathering.
  • Repetitive Turns:** Each turn can feel somewhat similar, leading to a repetitive gameplay experience.
  • Artwork Concerns:** Some players may find the artwork, particularly the depiction of females, to be a disconnect from the intended audience.

    Personal Thoughts on RYŪ

    RYŪ is a game that will appeal to fans of resource management and cube-drafting mechanics. It is particularly suited for families or casual gamers who enjoy light to medium-weight games. However, players who prefer games with more strategic depth or less randomness might find RYŪ less appealing. If you’re considering purchasing RYŪ, it might be wise to try it first to gauge your comfort with the gameplay and artwork.

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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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