World Shapers (2019) Board Game

World Shapers is a card game released in 2019, designed by Jakub Fajtanowski, Paweł Niziołek, and Jarosław Wajs. The game is published by Board&Dice and falls under the category of card games. With a runtime of 30 minutes, the game is suitable for players aged 10 and above. The game revolves around the concept of open drafting and set collection.

Game Components of World Shapers

Card deck with four suits, each representing one of the elements

Personal tableau for each player

Power crystals

Common pool cards

Solo variant bot components

How To Setup World Shapers

To set up **World Shapers**, each player starts with an empty personal tableau. The card deck is shuffled, and a certain number of cards are drawn based on the player count. Players also have access to a common pool of three cards and power crystals. For the solo variant, the bot’s components are set up according to the rules, involving random card draws from the deck.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card Drafting: Players draft cards from the deck or exchange them with cards from the common pool.

Set Collection: Players collect cards of different suits to build their world.

Tableau Building: Cards are placed in a personal tableau, with scoring based on the positioning and combinations of cards.

Power Crystals: Players can use power crystals to enhance the scoring potential of their cards.

Objective: The goal is to construct the “best” world, measured by points, by strategically placing and enhancing cards.

Player Experience

Playing **World Shapers** involves a strategic balance between drafting the right cards, positioning them optimally in your tableau, and using power crystals effectively. The game offers a puzzle-like experience, especially in the solo mode where you compete against a bot that randomly places cards, acting as a spoiler and challenging your strategy.

Pros

Variety in Scoring: Cards score in multiple ways, such as proximity to other suits, having the most of a suit, or forming specific pairs.

Solo Variant: A decent solo mode that provides a challenging puzzle-like experience.

Quality Components: Strong graphic design and artwork, typical of Board&Dice games.

Quick Gameplay: Games are relatively short, lasting about 30 minutes.

Cons

Derivative Design: The game’s mechanics are somewhat derivative and lack a deep theme.

Limited Tension: Compared to other games like **Tides of Madness**, **World Shapers** may lack tension, especially in two-player games.

Shallow Theme: The game’s theme is not deeply integrated into the gameplay mechanics.

Personal Thoughts on World Shapers

**World Shapers** is a game for those who enjoy card drafting and set collection mechanics but might find it less engaging if they are looking for a game with a deep, immersive theme. It’s a good option for groups of three or four players or for solo players seeking a puzzle-like challenge. However, for two-player pass-drafting games, other options like **Tides of Madness** might offer more tension and engagement.

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