Solenia (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Solenia is a board game released in 2018, designed by Sébastien Dujardin and published by Pearl Games. The game is set in a fantasy world where players take on the role of airship captains, navigating the floating islands of Solenia. With beautiful artwork by Vincent Dutrait, Solenia offers a unique and immersive gaming experience for 1-4 players.

Game Components of Solenia

1 Giant Airship figurine

5 double-sided gameboard strips

48 Delivery tiles

Star-shaped Gold tokens

15 resources each of 4 types: wood, wheat, stone, water

16 Airship cards per player

1 player board per player

24 Improvement tiles

1 die for the solitaire game

How To Setup Solenia

To set up Solenia, first assemble the 5×5 game board using the double-sided strips. Each player receives a player board and a set of 16 identical Airship cards. The Delivery tiles, resources, and Improvement tiles are placed within reach of all players. The star-shaped Gold tokens are used for scoring.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Duration: The game is played over 16 rounds.

Card Placement: Each round, players play one card from their hand onto an empty space on the game board.

Resource Management: Players collect and deliver resources (wood, wheat, stone, water) to the respective hemispheres.

Area Control: Players aim to control areas of the board to maximize their deliveries.

Game Objective: The goal is to collect the most Gold stars by efficiently delivering the needed resources to the Day and Night people.

Player Experience

Solenia offers a engaging and strategic experience, making it a great family game. The game’s unique theme and simple yet deep mechanics ensure that players of various ages and skill levels can enjoy it. The identical Airship cards for each player add a layer of fairness, while the Improvement tiles provide opportunities for strategic differentiation.

Pros

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players of all ages.

Strategic Depth: Simple to learn but challenging to master.

Attractive Components: The game features a beautiful, thematic design.

Balanced Mechanics: Identical cards for all players ensure fairness.

Cons

Repetitive Rounds: Some players might find the 16 rounds a bit lengthy or repetitive.

Luck Factor: The random availability of resources and Delivery tiles can introduce an element of luck.

Personal Thoughts on Solenia

Solenia is an excellent choice for families and casual gamers looking for a game that balances simplicity with strategic depth. It is particularly suited for those who enjoy worker placement and resource management mechanics. While it may not be the most complex game, its thematic appeal and engaging gameplay make it a great addition to any board game collection.

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