Terra Nova (2022) Board Game

Terra Nova is a fantasy territory-building board game released in 2022 by KOSMOS. Designed by Andreas Faul, the game features beautiful artwork by Loïc Billiau, Inga Keutmann, Lukas Siegmon, and Christof Tisch. With a runtime of 60-90 minutes, Terra Nova is designed for 2-4 players aged 12 and up.

Game Components of Terra Nova

Board: A central map composed of hexagonal spaces featuring five terrain types.

Faction Mats: Each player has a mat with a terrain wheel, special abilities, and a sailing track.

Buildings: Houses, trading posts, and fortresses, each with different emblem values.

Resources: Coins and power tokens.

Bonus Tiles: Used for round-specific scoring.

Shovel Tokens: For terraforming terrain.

Player Pieces: Wooden pieces for each faction, including buildings and markers.

Power Cycle Tokens: Manage power chits in three bowls.

How To Setup Terra Nova

To set up Terra Nova, start by placing the board on the table and adding the round scoring tiles to the track at the bottom. Each player selects a faction mat and places their two starting houses on terrains matching their faction color, done in a snake draft style similar to Settlers of Catan. Players then choose a bonus tile from the opening display, with unchosen tiles receiving a coin. The power cycle tokens are placed according to the game’s rules, and each player ensures they have the necessary components for their faction.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Rounds: The game is played over five rounds, each consisting of Income, Actions, and Round End phases.

Resource Management: Players manage coins and power tokens to perform actions.

Building and Terraforming: Build houses, trading posts, and fortresses by transforming terrain types using shovel actions.

Town Creation: Form towns by creating strings of adjacent buildings with a minimum emblem value.

Special Abilities: Utilize faction-specific abilities to gain advantages.

Bonus Scoring: Earn points from round-specific bonus tiles and end-game scoring for territory size and leftover coins.

Objective: Control the largest territory and earn the most points by strategically building and terraforming.

Player Experience

Terra Nova offers a more approachable and streamlined experience compared to Terra Mystica. Players take turns performing one action at a time, focusing on building, terraforming, and creating towns. The game is thinky and crunchy, with moments of strategic depth and tactical decisions. It encourages planning ahead and managing resources efficiently. Despite its simpler rules, it retains the core tension of building close to opponents to benefit from their actions while avoiding being cut off.

Pros

Simplified Rules: Easier to teach and learn compared to Terra Mystica.

Faster Gameplay: Completes in about an hour and a half for four players.

Strategic Depth: Offers significant tactical and strategic decisions.

High-Quality Components: Durable and visually appealing pieces.

Approachable: A great introduction to Euro games for new players.

Cons

Limited Complexity: May feel too simple for experienced players of Terra Mystica or similar games.

Fewer Options: Reduced number of strategies and actions compared to Terra Mystica.

Dependence on Bonus Tiles: Round-specific bonus tiles can significantly influence gameplay and strategy.

Personal Thoughts on Terra Nova

Terra Nova is ideal for those new to the Terra Mystica system or looking for a more streamlined Euro game experience. It fills a niche for players who want to transition from gateway games to more complex Euro games without the overwhelming rule set of Terra Mystica. However, experienced players of Terra Mystica may find it too simplified, lacking the depth and complexity they are accustomed to. For casual gamers and those introducing friends to the hobby, Terra Nova is a great choice, offering a balanced mix of strategy and accessibility.

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