Trade Winds (1960) Board Game

Trade Winds is a board game released in 1960 by Parker Brothers. The game is set in the world of pirates, where players take on the roles of pirates trying to amass the most wealth and become the most infamous pirate on the high seas.

Game Components of Trade Winds

Game board

Pirate ship tokens

Treasure tokens

Pirate cards

Trade goods cards

Dice

How To Setup Trade Winds

Place the game board in the center of the table.

Each player chooses a pirate ship token and places it on the starting point.

Shuffle the pirate cards and trade goods cards, and place them in separate decks next to the board.

Place the treasure tokens in a pile next to the board.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

In Trade Winds, players take turns moving their pirate ships around the board, collecting treasure and trade goods. Players can also attack each other to steal treasure or sink their opponent’s ships. The objective of the game is to amass the most wealth by the end of the game.

Player Experience

Pros:

Exciting theme of pirates and treasure hunting

Strategic gameplay with opportunities for both cooperation and competition

Replayability with different strategies to try

Cons:

Game can feel luck-based at times with dice rolls determining outcomes

Player elimination can happen early in the game, leading to a less engaging experience for eliminated players

Personal Thoughts on Trade Winds

Trade Winds is a classic board game that offers a fun and engaging experience for players of all ages. The build quality of the game components is solid, and the artwork captures the adventurous spirit of pirate life. The game is priced reasonably and can be found both new and used, making it accessible to a wide range of players.

However, if you are not a fan of pirate-themed games or prefer games with less player elimination, Trade Winds may not be the best choice for you. There are alternative games with similar mechanics, such as Buccaneer, that may be more to your liking. Overall, Trade Winds is worth your time if you enjoy strategic gameplay and the thrill of pirate adventures on the high seas.

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