Sagani (2020) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Sagani is a board game released in 2020, designed by renowned game designer Uwe Rosenberg and published by Skellig Games. The game falls under the category of Abstract Strategy and features mechanisms such as Pattern Building and Tile Placement. With an age recommendation of 8+ and a playing time of 30-60 minutes, Sagani is suitable for 1-4 players, with the best experience being for 2 players.

Game Components of Sagani

72 spirit tiles

Sound discs in player colors

Red Cacophony discs

Scoring markers

Scoring track on the board

Intermezzo row tiles

How To Setup Sagani

To set up Sagani, shuffle the 72 spirit tiles and split them into three facedown drawing stacks. Place a supply of 5 tiles face up for all players to see. Each player takes Sound discs in their player color and places their matching scoring marker on space 0 of the scoring track on the board. A supply of Red Cacophony discs is also placed on the table.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Tile drafting and placement

Orthogonal tile placement

Resource management (Sound and Cacophony discs)

Intermezzo mechanism for tile draw and placement

Game Objective

Players aim to create harmony among the elements (earth, water, air, fire) by placing tiles to coax elemental spirits out.

Each tile must be placed orthogonally adjacent to an already placed tile.

Players use Sound discs to cover icons on the tiles; insufficient discs result in using Cacophony discs, which incur penalties.

The game ends when a player reaches a specified victory point target (45/60/75 for 4/3/2 players). The player with the most points wins.

Player Experience

Playing Sagani is an engaging and challenging experience. The game requires a blend of short-term and long-term planning, as players need to anticipate future tile draws while managing their current tableau. The Intermezzo mechanism adds a layer of complexity and unpredictability, making each game unique. Despite its simple rules, Sagani demands strategic thinking and adaptability.

Pros

Engaging Puzzle: Sagani offers a compelling spatial puzzle that requires careful planning and anticipation.

Variety in Tiles: Each game is different due to the variety in tile distributions and the Intermezzo mechanism.

Balance of Luck and Strategy: The game strikes a balance between random tile draws and strategic tile placement.

Thematic Depth: The game’s theme of elemental harmony adds a rich layer of meaning to the gameplay.

Cons

Table Space: Sagani requires a significant amount of table space due to the sprawling nature of the tile placements.

Complexity in Intermezzo: The Intermezzo phase can be confusing, especially in tracking whose turn it is and managing the tile placements.

Penalties for Mismanagement: Using Cacophony discs incurs immediate victory point penalties, adding pressure to manage resources effectively.

Personal Thoughts on Sagani

Sagani is ideal for players who enjoy abstract strategy and puzzle games. It is not a game for the faint of heart; it demands careful planning, strategic thinking, and a willingness to adapt to changing circumstances. While it can be challenging, the game is highly rewarding for those who enjoy a good mental challenge. It is particularly suitable for experienced board game players looking to engage their strategic minds.

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