Terra Nova (2006) Board Game

Terra Nova is an abstract strategy board game designed by Michael Menzel and released in in 2006. The game is set in a fictional world where players compete to control territories and build their civilizations.

Game Components of Terra Nova

Colorful game board

88 border stones

44 pioneer playing pieces (wooden Pioneers)

Score tracker

Hex pieces for the board

How To Setup Terra Nova

To set up Terra Nova, start by placing the board and hex pieces within easy reach of all players. Each player selects their Pioneers in their chosen color, using the appropriate number based on the player count. Each player places their colored disc at the “0” space on the score tracker. This setup is straightforward and prepares the game for immediate play.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Actions: Each turn, a player must take three actions: move at least one Pioneer, optionally move a second Pioneer, and place border stones on empty hexes adjacent to the moved Pioneer.

Movement: Pioneers can move in any of the six directions of the hex they are on, stopped only by the board edge, another Pioneer, or a border stone.

Scoring: Areas are scored based on the number of environments enclosed. An area with one environment scores 3 points per hex, two environments score 2 points per hex, and three environments score 1 point per hex. Areas with four or more environments do not score.

Majority Rule: Points are awarded to the player with the majority of Pioneers in an enclosed area; ties are divided between players, rounded down.

Game End: The game continues until all regions are walled off and scored. The player with the most points wins.

Player Experience

Terra Nova is praised for its simplicity and depth. The game is easy to teach and learn, making it approachable for new players. Despite its simple rules, it offers a challenging and engaging experience that reveals more complexity as the game progresses. It is a great gateway game for new players and remains enjoyable for experienced gamers due to its quick gameplay and strategic depth.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it accessible to new players.

Quick Gameplay: Games typically last around 90 minutes.

Strategic Depth: Offers a challenging experience despite simple rules.

Flexible Player Count: Suitable for 2 to 4 players.

Compact Footprint: Does not require a lot of space.

Cons

Pioneer Piece Design: Wooden Pioneers can feel small and unsteady.

Color Limitation: Insufficient Pioneers for all color options in a two-player game.

Scoring Track Issue: Scoring track only features even numbers, which can cause confusion when scoring odd numbers.

Personal Thoughts on Terra Nova

Terra Nova is ideal for players who enjoy abstract strategy games but prefer a more streamlined and quicker experience compared to more complex games like Terra Mystica or Gaia Project. It is a great choice for introducing new players to strategic gameplay without overwhelming them. For experienced gamers, it offers a refreshing change of pace with its concise gameplay and strategic challenges. Despite its initial limited audience, Terra Nova deserves more attention for its balanced mix of simplicity and depth.

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