Tavarua (2016) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Tavarua is a board game that was released in 2016 and is designed by JJ Ariosa, Lina Cossette, and David Forest. It is published by Far Off Games and falls under the sports category. The game is designed for 1-6 players, with the best experience being for 3-4 players. It has a runtime of 30-60 minutes and is suitable for players aged 13 and above.

Game Components of Tavarua

Game board

Player boards

Wooden surfer meeples

Wave tokens

Tricks tokens

Wave dice

Trick dice

Rulebook

How To Setup Tavarua

Place the game board in the center of the table.

Each player chooses a color and takes a player board and surfer meeple of that color.

Place the wave tokens and tricks tokens near the board.

Shuffle the wave dice and trick dice and place them near the board.

Follow the setup instructions in the rulebook for specific details.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

In Tavarua, players take on the role of surfers trying to catch the perfect wave and perform tricks to score points. The game involves hand management, push your luck, and simultaneous action selection. Players must strategically choose their actions to maximize their points while watching out for their opponents’ moves. The objective is to score the most points by performing tricks and riding waves effectively.

Player Experience

Pros

Engaging gameplay with a mix of strategy and luck.

Beautiful artwork and components enhance the thematic experience.

Quick setup and easy-to-learn rules make it accessible to all players.

Cons

Some players may find the game relying too heavily on luck.

Limited replayability once players have mastered the strategies.

Personal Thoughts on Tavarua

Tavarua is a visually stunning game that captures the essence of surfing in a board game format. The components are well-made, and the artwork is immersive, drawing players into the world of competitive surfing. The game offers a good balance of strategy and luck, making each playthrough unique and exciting. However, the reliance on luck may turn off some players looking for a more strategic experience. Overall, Tavarua is a solid choice for casual gamers looking for a fun and thematic board game experience.

In terms of pricing and availability, Tavarua can be found both new and used online and in board game stores. Alternatives to Tavarua include other sports-themed board games such as “Blood Bowl” or “Roller Derby.” Whether Tavarua is worth your time depends on your preference for luck-based games and thematic experiences. It is suitable for players who enjoy light strategy games and have an interest in surfing or sports-themed games. Players looking for a deep strategic experience may want to skip Tavarua in favor of more complex board games.

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