Tapestry (2019) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Tapestry is a civilization-building board game designed by Jamey Stegmaier and published by Stonemaier Games in in 2019. The game has garnered attention for its unique gameplay mechanics and beautiful artwork by Andrew Bosley and Rom Brown.

Game Components of Tapestry

Player Boards: Each player receives an income mat and a capital city mat.

Resources: Four types of resources – coins, workers, food, and culture.

Tapestry Cards: Provide immediate or ongoing benefits.

Technology Cards: Offer ‘circle’ and ‘square’ benefits as players upgrade.

Capital City Mats: Divided into 9 districts with 9 squares each, including impassable plots.

Territory Tiles: Gained during income turns.

Landmarks: Unique landmarks for the first player to reach certain tiers on advancement tracks.

Miniatures and Tiles: Various components including outposts, exploration tiles, and space tiles.

Artwork: Done by Andrew Bosley, with sculptures by Rom Brown.

How To Setup Tapestry

Setting up Tapestry is relatively quick, taking about 5 minutes. Players start by placing the main board on the table, ensuring it is oriented correctly for the number of players. Each player selects a civilization and a capital city mat, then places their player board with five of each of four different building types (markets, houses, farms, and armories). Players also place their outposts on the starting island indicated by their capital city mat and position their cubes on the progress tracks and victory point track. The Tapestry Deck and Technology Deck are shuffled, and three face-up technology cards are drawn. Finally, players check their civilization boards and the civilization adjustments sheet for any initial modifications.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Mechanics: Resource Management, Tile Placement, Variable Player Powers.

Player Actions: Each turn, players choose between an income turn or an advancement turn.

Income Turn: Start a new era, use civilization ability, play a tapestry card, upgrade technology cards, gain victory points and resources.

Advancement Turn: Move on one of four advancement tracks (Technology, Science, Exploration, Military) and gain benefits.

Game Objective: Gain the most victory points by developing your civilization through various tracks and building your capital city.

Player Experience

Tapestry offers a unique and dynamic gameplay experience, particularly through its asymmetrical civilizations, each with unique goals and ways to acquire resources and victory points. The game is relatively easy to learn but requires strategic thinking and planning to play well. Players must adapt their strategies based on the resources and benefits available, and the game’s fluid nature means that each playthrough can be significantly different. The components are of high quality, and the artwork is praised for its beauty and thematic coherence.

Pros

High Replayability: Unique civilizations and random draws ensure each game is different.

Simple to Learn: Basic gameplay mechanics are straightforward, despite the game’s depth.

Quality Components: High-quality artwork, miniatures, and player boards.

Multiple Paths to Victory: Various strategies can lead to winning the game.

Asymmetrical Gameplay: Civilizations offer diverse playstyles and challenges.

Cons

Rulebook Clarity: Some rules are not explained very well, leading to initial confusion.

Analysis Paralysis: The numerous choices can lead to intense decision-making.

Luck Element: Tapestry card draws and technology availability introduce some luck into the game.

Solo Play Complexity: Managing the automated opponent can be complex and less engaging for some players.

Personal Thoughts on Tapestry

Tapestry is ideal for fans of civilization games and those who enjoy asymmetrical gameplay. It is a great choice for players who appreciate strategic depth without the complexity of overly long rules or setup times. While it may not be the best fit for those seeking a highly narrative or historically accurate civilization game, Tapestry’s unique approach and high replayability make it a standout in its genre. For those willing to invest time in understanding its mechanics, Tapestry offers a rich and engaging gaming experience.

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