Tentacle Town (2021) Board Game

Tentacle Town is a city-building board game released in 2021, designed by Robert Schilling and illustrated by Monster Fight Club. The game is designed for 2 to 4 players, with a recommended age of 6 and up. It falls under the categories of city building and economic games, with mechanics involving dice rolling and worker placement.

Game Components of Tentacle Town

Game board featuring three districts: the market, the foundry, and the docks

Worker tokens

Building tokens

Harpoon tokens

Resource tokens (including Gold)

Task cards

Danger die

Tentacle miniatures

Fame points

Overtime coins

Dirty Deeds cards (optional).

How To Setup Tentacle Town

To set up Tentacle Town, players start by placing the game board in the middle of the playing area. Each player chooses a set of worker tokens and places them on the board according to the initial setup rules. The task cards, building tokens, and resource tokens are also distributed. Each player receives a starting amount of Gold and Fame points. The tentacle miniatures and danger die are placed within reach of all players.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Mechanics: Dice Rolling, Worker Placement

Objective: Become the most famous resident and be appointed as the first mayor of Tentacle Town by earning Fame points.

Key Actions:
– Recruit citizens to complete tasks and build buildings in different districts.
– Construct buildings to increase the profitability of tasks in each district.
– Defend the town from giant tentacles by using harpoons.
– Pay overtime to citizens to complete additional tasks.
– Roll the danger die to determine if tentacles attack, stay quiet, or emerge from the depths.

Player Experience

Players take turns recruiting citizens, building structures, and completing tasks while navigating the threat of giant tentacles. The game is family-friendly, with a simple yet engaging mechanism that allows for both strategic depth and fun, light-hearted gameplay. The mutual worker system means that adding a worker to a district benefits all players, but building structures in each district only benefits the player who built them. The game’s duration is typically between 31-60 minutes, making it an enjoyable and manageable session for players of all ages.

Pros

Accessible and Fun: Easy to learn with a fun, family-friendly atmosphere.

Strategic Depth: Offers enough complexity with worker placement and building strategies.

Interactive Elements: The danger die and tentacle attacks add a dynamic and unpredictable element.

Modular Task System: Task cards and optional rules keep the game fresh and full of new twists.

Short Playtime: Games last between 31-60 minutes, making it suitable for a variety of player groups.

Cons

Limited Players: Designed for 2-4 players, which might be restrictive for larger groups.

Simple Mechanics for Experienced Players: Some experienced gamers might find the mechanics too straightforward and lacking in complexity.

Tentacle Attacks Can Be Unpredictable: While exciting, the tentacle attacks can sometimes feel too random and outside of player control.

Personal Thoughts on Tentacle Town

Tentacle Town is ideal for families and casual gamers looking for a light-hearted yet engaging game. It’s perfect for introducing younger players to strategic gameplay without overwhelming them with complex rules. For experienced gamers, it offers a refreshing change of pace with its simple yet fun mechanics. The game’s focus on accessibility and enjoyment makes it a great addition to any board game collection. However, it may not be the best choice for those seeking deeply complex or highly competitive games.

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