Via Magica (2020) Board Game

Via Magica is a card game that was released in in 2020. Designed by Biboun, Camille Chaussy, Jérémie Fleury, and Mathieu Leyssenne, this game is known for its beautiful artwork by Hurrican. It falls under the category of card games and incorporates mechanics such as bingo, open drafting, push your luck, and set collection.

Game Components of Via Magica

Portal cards with symbols and special powers

Crystals for marking symbols on portal cards

Symbol tokens drawn from a bag

Victory point trackers

Player boards for tracking progress

How To Setup Via Magica

To set up Via Magica, each player selects a player board and a set of crystals. The portal cards are placed in the center of the table, and each player draws an initial portal card. The symbol tokens are placed in a bag, ready to be drawn randomly.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Drawing Symbols: Symbols are drawn one at a time from a bag and players place their crystals on the corresponding symbols on their portal cards.

Completing Portals: When all necessary symbols on a portal card are filled, the player shouts “INCANTATUM!” and moves the completed portal to their completed section.

New Portals: After completing a portal, the player draws a new portal card from the available pool.

Wild Symbols: Certain portal cards allow players to treat specific symbols as wild, increasing their chances of completing portals.

Game End: The game ends when a player has unlocked their seventh portal card. The player with the most victory points wins.

Player Experience

Via Magica combines the classic bingo-style gameplay with strategic elements, making it enjoyable for both children and adults. The magical theme, involving animus spirits and incantations, adds a fun and engaging layer to the game. Players appreciate the “Ah-ha” moments when they discover portal cards that provide advantageous wild symbols. The game promotes friendly competition and strategic thinking without being overly complex.

Pros

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players aged 7 and above, making it a great family game.

Strategic Depth: Adds layers of strategy to the traditional bingo mechanic.

Quick Games: Each game lasts about 30 minutes, making it easy to fit into busy schedules.

Magical Theme: Engaging and fun theme that appeals to kids and adults alike.

Hidden References: Fans of the original game, Rise of Augustus, will appreciate the hidden references.

Cons

Availability: Not widely available in big box stores, which might make it harder to find.

Luck Element: The random drawing of symbols can introduce a significant luck factor.

Personal Thoughts on Via Magica

Via Magica is an excellent choice for families and casual gamers looking for a fun, light-hearted game. It strikes a perfect balance between simplicity and strategic depth, making it enjoyable for a wide range of ages. While it may not be as widely recognized as some other board games, its unique theme and engaging gameplay make it a must-have for anyone seeking a magical and entertaining board game experience.

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