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The Pursuit of Happiness (2015) Board Game

ByMichail

The Pursuit of Happiness is a board game that was released in 2015 by Artipia Games. It was designed by Adrian Abela and David Chircop, with artwork by Panayiotis Lyris. The game falls under the economic category and involves simulation mechanics as players strive to live their best lives by making choices that impact their happiness levels.

Game Components of The Pursuit of Happiness

  • Main Board: Represents the life journey from birth to old age.
  • Hourglass Markers: Used as workers to manage time.
  • Project Cards: Include various activities like jobs, relationships, and hobbies.
  • Item Cards: Represent possessions and experiences.
  • Heart Cards: Used to manage stress and health.
  • Job and Partner Cards: Double-sided cards offering different roles and genders.
  • Stress Track: Monitors the player’s stress levels.
  • Community Cards** (with expansions): Add social interaction mechanics.
  • Popularity Track** (with expansions): Measures social engagement.

    How To Setup The Pursuit of Happiness

    To set up the game, players start by placing the main board in the middle of the playing area. Each player chooses a character and places their hourglass markers on the board. Shuffle and deal the Life Goal cards, which are randomly drawn at the start of the game. Project, Item, and Job/Partner cards are also shuffled and placed face up on designated spaces on the board. The Stress track is initialized, and players begin their life journey.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Worker Placement: Players use hourglass markers to take actions on the board.
  • Time Management: Each decade of life has a set of hourglass markers that determine the number of actions a player can take.
  • Project and Item Cards: Players collect and complete these to gain Long-Term Happiness points.
  • Stress Management: Players must manage stress levels to avoid premature death.
  • Relationships and Jobs: Developing relationships and climbing the corporate ladder are key to happiness.
  • Health and Old Age: Players face increased stress in old age, which can be mitigated by Good Health projects.
  • Objective: The goal is to accumulate the most Long-Term Happiness points by completing life activities and managing stress.

    Player Experience

    Playing The Pursuit of Happiness is an immersive experience where players live through a simulated life, making choices that impact their happiness and longevity. The game offers a rich narrative with each playthrough, as players balance work, relationships, hobbies, and health. The theme is deeply integrated into the mechanics, creating a sense of real-life decisions and consequences. The artwork is colorful and engaging, with cartoony characters that add a light-hearted touch.

    Pros

  • Engaging Theme: The game effectively simulates life’s journeys and choices.
  • High Replayability: numerous cards and life goals ensure varied experiences.
  • Balanced Mechanics: Worker placement and time management are well-balanced.
  • Social Interaction** (with expansions): Community cards add a new layer of social engagement.
  • Accessible: Easy to learn, making it a great introduction to worker placement games.

    Cons

  • Complexity: Initial learning curve can be steep for new players.
  • Stress Mechanic: Managing stress can be challenging, especially in old age.
  • Limited Heart Cards: Only six Heart Cards in the base game, making stress management difficult.
  • Lengthy Games: Games can last between 60-90 minutes.

    Personal Thoughts on The Pursuit of Happiness

    The Pursuit of Happiness is ideal for players who enjoy life simulation games and are willing to invest time in learning the mechanics. It’s a great choice for those looking for a game that offers deep narrative possibilities and high replayability. While it may not be the best fit for casual gamers due to its complexity, it is an excellent addition to any serious board game collection. The game’s ability to balance fun and meaningful decisions makes it a standout in its category.

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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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