Santa Cruz (2012) Board Game

Santa Cruz is a board game designed by Marcel-André Casasola Merkle and published by Filosofia Éditions in in 2012. The game is set in the 16th century, where players take on the role of explorers trying to establish settlements on the island of Santa Cruz.

Game Components of Santa Cruz

Game Board: Represents the island of Santa Cruz.

Building Cards: 28 cards for houses, churches, and lighthouses.

Scoring Cards: 16 cards for tracking points.

Tiles: 54 tiles, including land, volcano, and special tiles.

Buildings: 52 buildings (houses, churches, lighthouses).

Bird Chits: 22 chits.

Scoring Markers: 4 markers.

50-Step Markers: 8 markers.

Overview Cards: 4 cards for player reference.

How To Setup Santa Cruz

To set up Santa Cruz, start by shuffling and randomly placing the tiles face down on the board, following specific patterns for land, volcano, and special tiles. Each player receives a set of Building Cards and Scoring Cards, with the number of cards depending on the number of players. Players place their scoring markers on the scoring track, and the youngest player or the player who chose their card set last starts the first round.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Number of Players: 2-4.

Age Range: 8 and above.

Duration: Approximately 45 minutes.

Objective: Build houses, churches, and lighthouses, manage resources, and collect points.

Rounds: The game is played over two independent rounds.

Turn Structure: Players play one Building or Scoring card per turn, following specific building rules and scoring mechanisms.

Volcano Eruption: Buildings on volcano tiles are destroyed, affecting players’ scores.

Strategy: Players can adapt their strategy in the second round based on their experience from the first round.

Player Experience

In Santa Cruz, players engage in a strategic settlement-building process, balancing resource management and point collection. The game offers a simple yet engaging experience, especially for families and casual gamers. The random tile placement and the volcano eruption mechanic introduce elements of unpredictability, keeping the game exciting and challenging.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it accessible to younger players.

Strategic Depth: Allows for strategic planning and adaptation.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for families and casual gaming sessions.

Variable Setup: Random tile placement ensures each game is different.

Cons

Luck Factor: Volcano eruptions and tile placement can introduce significant luck elements.

Limited Complexity: May not be complex enough for experienced gamers.

Component Management: Managing the various cards and tiles can be somewhat cumbersome.

Personal Thoughts on Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is an excellent choice for families, new gamers, and anyone looking for a light to medium-weight strategy game. While it may not offer the depth that hardcore gamers seek, its ease of learning and playful mechanics make it a great introduction to the world of board games. It’s particularly suited for those who enjoy resource management and building games with a touch of unpredictability.

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