Santa Maria (2017) Board Game

Santa Maria is a board game that was released in 2017 by Aporta Games. Designed by Kristian Amundsen Østby and Eilif Svensson, with artwork by Gjermund Bohne, the game falls under the categories of Civilization and Farming. It is a strategy game that combines elements of dice rolling, network building, and set collection, offering players a unique and engaging gameplay experience.

Game Components of Santa Maria

Game board

Dice

Player boards

Tiles

Tokens

Cards

How To Setup Santa Maria

Place the game board in the center of the table.

Each player receives a player board and tokens.

Shuffle the tiles and place them face down.

Set up the deck of cards.

Roll the dice to determine starting resources.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

In Santa Maria, players take on the role of explorers and settlers in the New World. The objective is to build a thriving colony by expanding territories, planting crops, and developing infrastructure. Players use dice to activate different actions, strategically placing tiles and collecting resources to earn points. The game ends after a set number of rounds, and the player with the most points wins.

Player Experience

Pros:

Engaging gameplay that offers a good balance of strategy and luck.

Variety of ways to earn points, providing multiple paths to victory.

Beautiful artwork and high-quality components.

Suitable for both casual and experienced gamers.

Cons:

Some players may find the learning curve steep.

Luck of the dice can sometimes play a significant role in the outcome.

Limited player interaction.

Personal Thoughts on Santa Maria

Santa Maria is a well-designed game that offers a unique blend of mechanics and theme. The components are of high quality, and the artwork adds to the overall immersive experience. While the learning curve may be challenging for some, the depth of strategy and replayability make it worth the investment.

In terms of pricing and availability, Santa Maria can be found both new and used, with prices varying depending on the edition and condition. For fans of civilization-building and strategy games, Santa Maria is definitely worth your time. However, players who prefer heavier player interaction may find it lacking in that aspect. Overall, Santa Maria is a solid choice for those looking for a challenging and rewarding gaming experience.

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