Tintas (2016) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Tintas is an abstract strategy board game that was released in in 2016. It is designed by Dieter Stein and published by Clemens Gerhards. The game is known for its simple yet challenging gameplay that appeals to both casual gamers and strategy enthusiasts.

Game Components of Tintas

20 x 20 cm gameboard made of solid beechwood, treated with protective oils

49 wooden playing pieces in seven different colors

1 neutral pawn (red marker)

A simple canvas bag to hold the pieces

How To Setup Tintas

Setting up Tintas involves randomly placing the 49 colored discs onto the hexagonal spaces on the board, ensuring a mixed distribution to avoid clustering of the same colors. The starting player is chosen, and they receive the red marker pawn. The game is ready to begin once the pieces are well mixed and placed on the board.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Random Setup: Each game starts with a unique arrangement of pieces.

Pawn Movement: The red marker pawn moves in a straight line in any of six possible directions, stopping and picking up the first colored piece it encounters.

Continuous Collection: A player can continue picking up pieces of the same color if they are in a straight line from the current marker position.

Alternative Move: If no legal move is available, the player can place the marker anywhere on the board.

Winning Conditions: The game is won by collecting all seven pieces of one color or four pieces of at least four different colors.

Player Experience

Tintas offers a lightweight yet engaging gaming experience, with games typically lasting between 15 to 30 minutes. The game demands strategic thinking, as players must decide whether to focus on collecting all pieces of one color or spread their collection across multiple colors. This dilemma introduces interesting tactical decisions, such as whether to pursue a color even if it might help the opponent or to deny a color to the opponent even if it doesn’t contribute to your own win.

Pros

Visual Appeal: The game features beautifully crafted, brightly colored wooden pieces and a hardwood board.

Tactical Depth: Offers satisfying strategic choices despite its simple rules.

Quick Games: Games are short, allowing for multiple plays in a single session.

Portable: The game is compact and easy to carry.

Cons

Limited Player Count: Designed exclusively for two players.

Plain Packaging: The game comes in an unassuming brown cardboard box that does not reflect its quality.

Safety Warning: Not suitable for children under 3 years due to small parts.

Personal Thoughts on Tintas

Tintas is an excellent choice for anyone seeking a high-quality, two-player abstract game that is both visually appealing and tactically rich. It is ideal for couples, roommates, or anyone who frequently plays games with just one other person. The game’s short playtime and beautiful components make it a great addition to any board game collection. If you’re looking for a fun, strategic, and portable game that is as enjoyable to play as it is to look at, Tintas should definitely be on your radar.

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