The Grand Carnival (2020) Board Game

The Grand Carnival is a puzzle board game designed by Rob Cramer and published by Uproarious Games in in 2020. The game is set in a whimsical carnival where players take on the role of carnival organizers trying to create the most entertaining and profitable carnival.

Game Components of The Grand Carnival

Game board

Player boards

Tiles

Score pads

Rulebook

How To Setup The Grand Carnival

Place the game board in the center of the table.

Shuffle the tiles and place them face down.

Each player receives a player board.

Determine starting player.

Begin the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

In The Grand Carnival, players take turns drafting tiles and placing them on their player boards to create patterns and cover spaces. Players score points based on the patterns they create and the coverage of certain areas on their player board. The objective is to have the most points at the end of the game.

Player Experience

Pros:

Engaging puzzle mechanics

Strategic decision-making

Beautiful artwork

Easy to learn

Cons:

Limited player interaction

Luck can play a factor in tile draws

Personal Thoughts on The Grand Carnival

The Grand Carnival is a visually appealing and engaging puzzle game that offers a challenging experience for players looking for a strategic and thought-provoking game. The build quality of the components is excellent, and the artwork adds to the overall theme of the game. The game is priced reasonably for the quality and components provided, making it a good value for players interested in the puzzle genre.

In terms of availability, The Grand Carnival can be found in both new and used markets, with new copies being readily available from various online retailers. For those looking for alternatives or similar games, The Grand Carnival is a unique offering in the puzzle category, but fans of grid movement and pattern-building games may also enjoy titles like Azul or Sagrada.

Overall, The Grand Carnival is worth your time if you enjoy puzzle games with strategic decision-making and pattern-building mechanics. It is recommended for players who enjoy a more solitary gaming experience, as player interaction is limited. However, those who prefer games with higher levels of interaction may want to skip this one.

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