The Primary (2018) Board Game

The Primary’ is a political board game designed by Sebastian Koziner and Rocío Ogñenovich and released in in 2018. The game allows players to dive into the world of political campaigns, where they must use strategy and cunning to win the most votes and secure victory in the primary election.

Game Components of The Primary

Player boards: Each player has a board to track their progress and resources.

News cards: These cards introduce events and challenges that players must navigate.

Action cards: Players use these to take various actions such as campaigning, fundraising, and debating.

Vote tokens: Representing the votes players need to win.

Organize tokens: Used for managing campaign resources and activities.

Candidate tokens: Each player has a token to represent their candidate on the board.

How To Setup The Primary

To set up the game, each player selects a candidate token and places it on the starting space on the board. Players receive a set of Action cards and a player board. The News deck is shuffled, and the top card is drawn to set the stage for the first round. The game is played over 11 rounds, each divided into four phases: News, Action, Vote, and Organize.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

News Phase: A News card is drawn, which can introduce new challenges or opportunities.

Action Phase: Players take turns playing Action cards to perform actions like campaigning, debating, or fundraising.

Vote Phase: Players earn Vote tokens based on their performance in the Action phase.

Organize Phase: Players manage their resources and prepare for the next round.

Objective: The goal is to accumulate the most Vote tokens by effectively managing resources, responding to news events, and outmaneuvering opponents.

Player Experience

Playing **The Primary** is a straightforward yet engaging experience, making it accessible to a wide variety of gamers. The game’s simple mechanics belies a deeper strategic layer, where players must balance short-term needs with long-term goals. The dynamic News cards add an element of unpredictability, forcing players to adapt quickly.

Pros

Easy to learn: Simple rules make it easy for new players to jump in.

Quick games: Games last about 45 minutes, making it a great fit for a casual gaming session.

Strategic depth: Despite simplicity, there is a significant amount of strategic thinking involved.

Replayability: The random News cards and varied player actions ensure each game is different.

Cons

Limited theme: While the game avoids actual politics, some players might find the election theme too niche.

Randomness: The News cards can sometimes feel too random, affecting gameplay significantly.

Personal Thoughts on The Primary

**The Primary** is ideal for those who enjoy strategic games that are easy to learn but challenging to master. It’s a great choice for families or casual gaming groups looking for a game that can be played in under an hour. The game’s ability to balance simplicity with depth makes it appealing to both new and experienced gamers. However, if you’re looking for a game with a more complex theme or deeper immersion, you might find **The Primary** a bit too lightweight.

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