The Journeys of Paul (1990) Board Game

The Journeys of Paul is a board game that was released in in 1990. Designed by Michelle Spalding, the game is set in ancient times and follows the journeys of the apostle Paul as he spreads the message of Christianity. The game incorporates elements of area movement, events, hand management, race, and trading.

Game Components of The Journeys of Paul

Game Board: Depicts the Roman Empire and various cities.

City Cards: Allow players to rapidly build churches in specific cities.

Church and Cell Group Tokens: Used to track the establishment and growth of churches.

Reference Cards: Guide players through their turns.

Opportunity Cards: Help manage luck and strategy.

Player Tokens: Represent the missionaries traveling through the empire.

How To Setup The Journeys of Paul

To set up the game, players start in Jerusalem, with each player receiving City cards that determine which cities they will target for establishing churches. The board is laid out to show the Roman Empire, with some cities already having pre-established churches. Players place their tokens in Jerusalem and prepare their City cards and reference cards.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Objective: Establish churches in key cities across the Roman Empire and make your way to Rome.

Gameplay Mechanics:

Turn Structure: Simple turns involving movement and church establishment.

Card Management: Using Opportunity cards to mitigate challenges and City cards to build churches quickly.

Route Planning: Strategic planning to reach target cities before other players.

Competition: Multiple players can build churches in the same city, but only one can complete it.

Player Experience

**The Journeys of Paul** offers a light strategy and race game experience, making it accessible as a gateway game. The game is relatively quick, taking about an hour for two players and adding 25-30 minutes for each additional player. However, the solo version is less engaging and can become a luck-based exercise.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple turn structure and clear objectives.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players aged 10 and above.

Historical Theme: Educational aspect of simulating St. Paul’s journeys.

Gateway Game: Great introduction to strategy and board games.

Cons

Colorblind Issues: Components lack unique markings, making it difficult for colorblind players to differentiate.

Solo Version: Less engaging and more luck-based compared to multiplayer.

Luck Element: Significant reliance on Opportunity cards can make the game less predictable.

Personal Thoughts on The Journeys of Paul

**The Journeys of Paul** is ideal for families, Christian groups, or anyone looking for a light, theme-driven board game. It’s a great gateway game due to its simplicity and relatively short playing time. However, it may not appeal to heavy gamers seeking complex strategies. The game’s educational value and historical theme add an extra layer of interest, making it a unique addition to any board game collection.

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