The Last of the Independents (2010) Board Game

The Last of the Independents is a board game released in 2010, designed by Patrick Stevens and Orlando Villagran. The game is set in the early 20th century during the Prohibition era in the United States. Players take on the roles of bootleggers trying to dominate the underground alcohol market and outwit their rivals.

Game Components of The Last of the Independents

1 game board

180 wooden disks in 6 colors

30 plastic tokens

1 draw bag

10 company profile cards

114 trend/action cards

6 player aid cards

Instruction booklet.

How To Setup The Last of the Independents

To set up the game, each player randomly selects an automaker and receives a set amount of same-colored disks representing money. The game board is laid out, and the trend/action cards are shuffled and placed within reach of all players. Each player allocates their disks according to the initial setup rules, preparing for the first round, which represents a year in the automotive industry.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Rounds: The game consists of three rounds, each representing a year, with categories such as Models, Engineering, and Promotions.

Resource Allocation: Players allocate their disks to various spaces on the board to vie for control.

Random Draw: Control is determined by a random draw from the disks allocated to a space.

Bankruptcy: Players who cannot meet their financial quota at the end of a round declare bankruptcy, discard items, and draw a new automaker.

Victory Points: Points are awarded for controlling spaces, fulfilling market trends, and winning Car of the Year.

Card Play: Players use trend/action cards to influence the game, balancing action vs. trend benefits.

Player Experience

**The Last of the Independents** offers a unique and engaging experience, encouraging players to strategize between risking resources for success and playing conservatively. Turns are relatively simultaneous, reducing downtime, and the game plays better with more players. The game’s theme and aesthetic are deeply rooted in vintage automotive history, making it both educational and entertaining. However, the initial rulebook has some typos and lacks clarifications, which can be remedied by the improved 2.0 version of the rules available online.

Pros

Unique Gameplay: Reflects the automotive market’s competitive nature.

Educational: Incorporates historical facts and context.

Aesthetic: Retro style artwork and graphics.

Components Quality: High-quality wooden disks, durable cards, and a well-designed board.

Adjustable Game Length: Can be adjusted through the number of rounds.

Cons

Rule Clarity: Initial rulebook has typos and lacks necessary clarifications.

Component Minor Flaw: Automaker profile card disk spots are too small.

Learning Curve: Requires some time to fully understand the mechanics.

Personal Thoughts on The Last of the Independents

**The Last of the Independents** is ideal for those interested in a mix of strategy, history, and competitive gameplay. It is suitable for families and strategy enthusiasts alike, given its age range of 10 and up and playtime of 90 minutes. The game’s unique mechanics and thematic depth make it a standout in the board game world, especially for fans of automotive history and Euro-style games.

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