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Samoa (2020) Board Game

ByMichail

Samoa is a board game released in 2020 designed by Andrew Bosley. It is a card game that involves betting and bluffing, deduction, push your luck, and take that mechanisms. The game is suitable for 2-4 players, with a recommended age of 10 and above. The game has a runtime of 25 minutes and is published by 999 Games.

Game Components of Samoa

  • Masks:** Each player has a secret mask.
  • Feather Cards:** Colored and black cards used to decorate the masks.
  • Element Cards:** Representing water, fire, and air, which influence gameplay.
  • Score Tracking:** Mechanism to track points.

    How To Setup Samoa

    To set up the game, each player receives a secret mask. The deck of feather cards is shuffled, and the element cards are prepared. The game is divided into three rounds, with each round ending when all masks have five feather cards.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Card Placement:** Players reveal a card from the deck and place it above or below a mask.
  • Deduction:** Players try to deduce which mask belongs to which player.
  • Hand Management:** Players manage their cards to decorate masks and guess ownership.
  • Game Objective:** Decorate your mask with the most colorful feathers and correctly guess the ownership of masks to earn bonus points.

    Player Experience

    In Samoa, players engage in a delightful game of deduction and strategy. Each turn, they must carefully decide which cards to play to decorate the masks, all while trying to figure out which mask belongs to each player. The element cards add an extra layer of excitement, sometimes bringing additional feathers or even burning them. The game is full of surprises and requires a balance of luck and skill.

    Pros

  • Engaging Deduction:** Keeps players guessing and strategizing.
  • Colorful Theme:** The use of colored feathers and masks adds a vibrant and festive atmosphere.
  • Simple yet Challenging:** Easy to learn but challenging to master.
  • Interactive Elements:** The influence of water, fire, and air elements keeps the game dynamic.

    Cons

  • Luck Factor:** The random draw of cards can sometimes feel unfair.
  • Short Game Length:** The game consists of only three rounds, which might be too short for some players.

    Personal Thoughts on Samoa

    Samoa is an excellent choice for players who enjoy deduction games and are looking for a light-hearted, strategic experience. It is particularly suited for groups of friends or family gatherings where everyone can enjoy the colorful theme and the fun of guessing and decorating masks. However, players seeking a longer, more complex game might find Samoa a bit too brief.

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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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