The Estates (2018) Board Game

The Estates is a city building and negotiation board game designed by Daan van Paridon and published by Capstone Games in in 2018. The game is designed for 2 to 5 players, with a recommended player count of 4 for the best experience. With a runtime of 40 to 60 minutes, The Estates is suitable for players aged 10 and above.

Game Components of The Estates

Colored cubes (building floors)

Roofs

Multipliers

Building permits

Cancel marker

Mayor token

Player tokens and money

How To Setup The Estates

To set up The Estates, players start by placing the game board, which features three rows of building sites. Each player receives a starting amount of money. The game components such as colored cubes, roofs, and other items are prepared for auction.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Auction System: Players bid on various items like colored cubes, roofs, building permits, and special tokens.
– The first player to win a colored cube of a particular color owns that color for the entire game.
– Items can be placed on the board or discarded.

Building Placement: Players must build from the road towards the river, filling rows with colored cubes and roofs.

Scoring: The game ends when two of the three rows are completed. Only buildings in these two completed rows score positive points, while buildings in the unfinished row score negative points.

Special Tokens: The mayor token doubles the points for a row, and the cancel marker can cancel a building permit.

Player Experience

The Estates offers a simple yet brutally strategic gameplay experience. With few rules but deep implications, players must navigate auctions carefully to secure the best building opportunities. The game’s interactive nature ensures that each decision is crucial, making it highly engaging and challenging.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Despite simple rules, the game offers complex strategic choices.

Interactive: Players are constantly involved through the auction mechanism.

Quick-Playing: Games are relatively short and fast-paced.

High Replayability: Each game can unfold differently based on player decisions.

Cons

Luck of Auctions: The outcome of auctions can significantly impact a player’s chances.

Potential for Negative Points: Building in the wrong row can result in negative scores.

Steep Learning Curve for Optimal Play: While the rules are simple, mastering the game requires experience.

Personal Thoughts on The Estates

The Estates is ideal for players who enjoy strategic games with a strong focus on auctions and building placement. It is particularly suited for those who appreciate games that are easy to learn but challenging to master. However, it may not be the best fit for players who are easily frustrated by the potential for significant negative points or those who prefer more straightforward gameplay without the unpredictability of auctions.

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