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Wayfinders (2019) Board Game

ByMichail

Wayfinders is a board game released in 2019 that is designed by Gica Tam and published by Pandasaurus Games. The game falls under the categories of Aviation/Flight, Exploration, Transportation, and Travel, making it a unique and engaging gaming experience for players.

Game Components of Wayfinders

  • Tiles:** 24 tiles (7 yellow, 8 blue, 9 red) forming a 5×5 grid
  • Hangar Board:** For resource collection and worker placement
  • Airplanes:** Each player has a plane and an airstrip starting on the home island
  • Airstrips:** 9 additional airstrips per player
  • Workers:** 5 workers per player
  • Resources:** Various resources stored in a bag

    How To Setup Wayfinders

    To set up Wayfinders, organize the tiles into a 5×5 grid with the starting tile in the center. Shuffle the 24 tiles and place them face-down if using the Exploration Variant, or face-up otherwise. Give each player their airplane, airstrip, and workers. Place the resources in a bag, shuffle them, and distribute them to the Hangar Board, ensuring each column has three resources. Each player starts with one resource[4.).

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

    Mechanics

  • Route Building:** Creating a network of airstrips on various islands
  • Worker Placement:** Placing workers in hangars to collect resources
  • Resource Management:** Managing resources to move planes and build airstrips

    Objective

  • Build Airstrips:** The goal is to build the most airstrips on different islands, scoring the most points
  • Resource Collection:** Collect resources to facilitate plane movement and airstrip construction
  • Scoring Effects:** Utilize tiles for various scoring effects, such as permanent boosts, instant resource gains, and row bonuses

    Player Experience

    In Wayfinders, players embark on a whimsical adventure, navigating the skies to build airstrips on scenic islands. Each turn, players can either place a worker in a hangar or recall all their workers to collect resources, move their plane, and build airstrips. The game is characterized by its unique blend of strategic planning and resource management, making it both fun and challenging.

    Pros

  • Replayability:** High replayability due to the random placement of tiles and resources
  • Strategic Depth:** Unique worker placement and resource collection mechanics
  • Family-Friendly:** Suitable for players aged 10 and above, making it a great family game
  • Creative Gameplay:** Encourages creative strategy and planning

    Cons

  • Min-Maxing:** Without the Exploration Variant, the game can be vulnerable to min-maxing strategies
  • Component Issues:** Some printing problems with the meeples
  • Sudden Game End:** The game can end abruptly when one player places all but two airstrips

    Personal Thoughts on Wayfinders

    Wayfinders is an excellent choice for families and casual gamers looking for a game that combines strategy with a touch of whimsy. It is particularly suitable for those who enjoy route-building and resource management games. However, experienced gamers might find the base game without the Exploration Variant a bit predictable. Overall, Wayfinders offers a delightful and engaging gaming experience with plenty of replay value.

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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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