YAK (2015) Board Game – Board Game Guys

YAK is a fun and engaging board game designed by Bono Light and published by MINDOK in in 2015. The game revolves around animals and bluffing, making it a unique addition to any game night. With beautiful artwork by Gabriela Silveira, YAK has quickly gained popularity among board game enthusiasts.

Game Components of YAK

4 Yaks

1 Baby yak

4 Carts

8 Cart panels

1 Game board

4 Player boards

1 Quarry bag

64 Coloured stones

45 Food tokens

8 Crystal stones

1 Mountain

1 Fog marker

5 Fog stones

1 Stupa marker

1 Score pad

12 Action cards

8 Bonus cards.

How To Setup YAK

To set up YAK, players start by placing the game board, which forms a circular path for the yaks to travel. Each player receives one cart and places it in front of them on the board. The carts are loaded with stones and food tokens. Players begin with one good of each type (meat, milk, bread) and three action cards (build, restock, and market). The quarry bag is filled with coloured stones, crystal stones, and fog stones. The baby yak token is used to determine the starting player.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Resource Management: Players manage food tokens (meat, milk, bread) to acquire stones.

Action Selection: Players secretly and simultaneously choose one of three action cards (build, restock, market) each turn.

Tower Building: Players build their stone towers by acquiring stones from visiting merchants.

Fog Mechanic: Fog stones reverse the direction of the yaks, disrupting player plans.

Objective: Build a stone tower by completing four levels (14 stones) and score points based on stone groups, individual stones, and remaining food.

Player Experience

YAK is described as a light-ish game that is easy to learn but requires strategic planning. Players need to efficiently gather food and spend these tokens to get the right coloured stones. The game is visually appealing with solid wooden components, but the gameplay can sometimes feel a bit predictable and lacking in real depth. The fog mechanic adds a layer of unpredictability, making players adapt their plans. The game is suitable for families and players of all ages, with an average playtime of 30-60 minutes.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules with only a few pages of instructions.

Visual Appeal: High-quality, solid wooden components and attractive game pieces.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for ages 8 and older, making it a great family game.

Strategic Depth: Requires planning and resource management.

Unpredictability: The fog mechanic adds an element of surprise and challenge.

Cons

Lack of Depth: Gameplay can feel too simple and lacking in variety.

Dragging Gameplay: Can take longer than expected, sometimes over an hour.

Component Issues: Some components, like the game board, feel underutilized or redundant.

Personal Thoughts on YAK

YAK is ideal for families or casual gamers looking for a light, visually appealing game. While it lacks the depth and complexity of more advanced games, it offers a fun and strategic experience that is easy to grasp. For those who enjoy tower-building games with a touch of unpredictability, YAK could be a great addition to their collection. However, players seeking more intricate mechanics or longer replayability might find YAK a bit too simplistic.

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