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The Great Fire of London 1666 (2010) Board Game

ByMichail

The Great Fire of London was a major conflagration that swept through the central parts of London in September

  • The fire destroyed a large part of the city, including over 13,000 houses and buildings. The fire lasted for four days, and it is estimated that it left about 70,000 people homeless. The Great Fire of London 1666 Board Game allows players to experience the chaos and destruction of this historical event in a strategic and competitive way.

    • Game Components of The Great Fire of London 1666

  • Game board representing 1666 London
  • 25 Fire cones to simulate the fire
  • 6 color cards for player identification
  • 2 player pawns per player
  • Fire cards to expand the fire
  • Fire Stack cards to intensify the fire
  • Trained Bands and Demolition Charges for fire control
  • Objective cards for secret player goals
  • 20 tokens for district placement
  • Hero of London card

    How To Setup The Great Fire of London 1666

    To set up the game, unfold and place the game board in the middle of the playing area. Start by placing 25 Fire cones in the Pudding Lane location on the board. Shuffle the 6 color cards and deal one to each player, who then receive two pawns matching their color card. Separate the Objective cards into three decks, shuffle each, and deal one card from each deck to each player, keeping these secret. Place one token, face-down, on each district with a yellow label on the board. Finally, place the Hero of London card to one side of the board.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

    Mechanics:

  • Worker Placement & Area Control:** Players use Trained Bands and Demolition Charges to fight and contain the fire.
  • Hand/Resource Management:** Manage Fire cards, Trained Bands, and Demolition Charges.
  • Pattern/Color Matching:** Match player pawns with secret color cards.
  • Strategy & Tactics:** Make logical and critical decisions to protect property.
  • Risk vs. Reward:** Balance actions to minimize damage and maximize gains.

    Game Objective:

  • Protect your own property while the Great Fire of London spreads.
  • Use Trained Bands and Demolition Charges to contain the fire.
  • Achieve secret objectives listed on the Objective cards.

    Player Experience

    Players experience an unforgiving and relentless game environment, as the fire intensifies and spreads across the board. Each turn consists of three phases: expanding the fire, taking actions to control it, and resolving the effects. The game demands strategic thinking, as players must balance their efforts to protect their own properties while trying to hinder their opponents. The hidden color mechanism adds a layer of guessing and tactical play.

    Pros

  • Engaging Theme:** The game captures the historical chaos of the Great Fire of London.
  • Deep Strategy:** Requires logical and critical decision-making.
  • High Replayability:** Variable setup and secret objectives ensure different experiences each game.
  • Interactive Gameplay:** Players constantly interact with each other’s moves.

    Cons

  • Complex Rules:** The rules for moving the fire and using Trained Bands and Demolition Charges are detailed and lengthy.
  • Setup Time:** Requires applying stickers to tokens before the first game.
  • Not Suitable for Younger Players:** Parent and Child Geek endorsements were rejected due to complexity and intensity.

    Personal Thoughts on The Great Fire of London 1666

    This game is ideal for experienced gamers who enjoy strategic and tactical gameplay. It is not recommended for younger players or those new to complex board games due to its moderate to high learning curve. The game’s theme and mechanics make it a great choice for those interested in historical scenarios and strategic resource management. However, the detailed rules and setup requirements may deter casual players.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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