Tiletum (2022) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Tiletum is a strategic board game set in the Renaissance period, designed by the renowned duo Simone Luciani and Daniele Tascini. Published by Board&Dice in 2022, the game has garnered attention for its unique gameplay mechanics and beautiful artwork by Giorgio De Michele and Zbigniew Umgelter.

Game Components of Tiletum

Main board

Player boards

House pieces

Column pieces

Resources (food, wool, steel, stone, gold)

Dice (pastel-colored with different values)

Action tiles

Bonus tiles

Contract tiles

Character tiles

Cathedral pieces

Town tiles

Fair tokens

Corruption tokens

Architect and Merchant tokens

King track markers

Fair order tokens

How To Setup Tiletum

Setting up Tiletum involves several steps. Start by laying out the main board and each player’s player board, along with their colored pieces. Place five house pieces on each player’s board, and one house piece in Tiletum on the main board, with the others beside the player board. Each player takes initial resources and gold based on their position. Lay out the action wheel and action tiles around the dice action wheel on the main board. Shuffle and place bonus tiles around the dice spaces and map side of the board, avoiding spaces based on player count. Place markers on the King track and turn order track. Shuffle and lay out contract and character tiles, and place construction cost tiles below Cathedral spaces. Finally, place town tiles, fair tokens, and each player’s Architect and Merchant tokens into Tiletum, and add dice to the cloth bag[4/.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Dice Management: Players choose a die to gain resources and perform associated actions. The power of the action is inversely proportional to the value of the die.

Resource Collection: Collect resources like food, wool, steel, stone, and gold to fulfill contracts and build cathedrals.

Contract Fulfillment: Acquire trade contracts for wool and iron, and collect coats of arms.

Cathedral Construction: Invest in building monumental cathedrals.

Favor and Prestige: Gain the favor of noble families and participate in fairs to gain prestige.

Character Actions: Use notable people’s services to enhance gameplay.

Objective: Become the most famous merchant of the Renaissance by accumulating the most prestige points[4/.

Player Experience

Playing Tiletum is a deeply thematic and engaging experience. The game offers a variety of actions and bonuses, allowing players to min-max in one area or sample a bit of everything. The combination of dice selection and bonus tiles provides ample opportunities for combo turns, making the game feel dynamic and rewarding. However, the game can be deliberation-heavy, which may not suit players who prefer fast and slick turns[5/.

Pros

Deep Combos: Allows for complex and rewarding combination turns.

Variety of Actions: Multiple paths to scoring points, including contracts, cathedrals, and fairs.

Engaging Theme: Richly thematic setting of the Renaissance era.

Good Component Quality: Well-written rulebooks and clear iconography.

Solo Mode: Includes a solo bot for a good solo experience[5/.

Cons

Setup Time: Initial setup can take a while, though it gets quicker with experience.

Analysis Paralysis: Can be prone to player deliberation, which may slow down gameplay.

Colorblind Issues: Pastel-colored dice may be difficult for colorblind players to distinguish[3/.

Personal Thoughts on Tiletum

Tiletum is ideal for fans of Euro games and dice management mechanics. It suits players who enjoy sandbox-style games with deep strategic layers and minimal direct player interaction. While it may not be the best fit for those who prefer quick turns, Tiletum offers a rich and rewarding experience for those who enjoy exploring complex game systems. It is a standout in the “T” series from Board & Dice and is highly recommended for anyone looking to dive into the world of Renaissance-era merchants[5/.

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