The Enigma of Leonardo (2007) Board Game

The Enigma of Leonardo is a card game that was released in 2007 and designed by Sergey Machin. The game is set in the Renaissance period and features artwork inspired by the famous artist Leonardo da Vinci.

Game Components of The Enigma of Leonardo

Cards: Each card features two symbols out of twelve possible symbols.

Keys: Seven different keys that players aim to collect.

Player Cross Formation: A grid where players place their cards.

How To Setup The Enigma of Leonardo

To set up the game, each player is dealt ten cards, and they form a cross-shaped grid with five of these cards on the table. The remaining cards are kept in hand.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card Drawing: Players draw a card from the deck.

Card Replacement: A card from the hand replaces a card in the cross formation, which then passes to the next player, replacing a card in the same position, and the replaced card is discarded.

Key Collection: Players collect keys by forming three of the same symbol in a row (horizontally or vertically) in their cross formation.

Game Objective: The first player to collect seven different keys wins.

Player Experience

The game starts off simple and engaging, with easy-to-learn mechanics. However, it quickly becomes laborious and competitive, particularly towards the end. Players often find themselves in a cycle of disrupting their opponents’ setups rather than focusing on their own progress. This leads to lengthy gameplay sessions and a lack of strategy, making the game feel broken.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple and straightforward rules.

Initial Engagement: Engaging and fun at the beginning.

Potential for Strategy: With some rule tweaks, the game could offer more strategic depth.

Cons

Lengthy Gameplay: Games can drag on indefinitely as players disrupt each other.

Lack of Theme: The game lacks a strong thematic element.

Limited Choices: Once a player has six keys, the game becomes about preventing others from winning rather than making progress.

No Special Actions: The absence of special actions or powers limits the game’s interest.

Personal Thoughts on The Enigma of Leonardo

The Enigma of Leonardo has potential but falls short in its current form. It might appeal to those who enjoy very simple, quick games, but its flaws make it less enjoyable for longer play sessions. Reducing the number of keys required to win, introducing special actions, or limiting the number of players could significantly improve the game. As it stands, it is more suitable for shorter play sessions or for players looking for a very casual gaming experience.

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