Yucatan (2023) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Yucatan is a board game released in 2023 by Matagot. Designed by Guillaume Montiage and featuring artwork by Karl Fitzgerald, this game is set in the ancient world of the Yucatan Peninsula, where players take on the roles of rival tribes vying for control and supremacy.

Game Components of Yucatan

Miniatures: Intricate creature miniatures and troop miniatures, although the quality of troop miniatures is noted as underwhelming.

Cards: Battle cards, building cards, and upgrade cards, but the promised heavy-duty linen finish is absent.

Pyramids: Large and small pyramids for tracking game progress, which some players find unnecessary and cumbersome.

Tokens: Jade and corn tokens, with upgraded corn kernels, and player pack trays.

Rulebook: Initially criticized for errors and confusion; a revised rulebook has been released.

Storage: Cheap foldy thin cardboard storage boxes for jade and corn, and a large game box.

How To Setup Yucatan

Setting up Yucatan can be quite time-consuming, taking around 25 minutes. Players need to organize the various components, including miniatures, cards, tokens, and pyramids. The game area is substantial, covering 50″ x 34″. The setup involves placing the city boards, distributing the starting resources, and preparing the battle cards and other game elements. However, the initial rulebook’s lack of clarity and the absence of setup pictures have made this process more challenging for some players.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Battles: Players battle over a trio of cities using summoned creatures, troops, and battle cards.

Building Advancements: Players can advance buildings to focus on specific areas.

Troop Upgrades: Upgrading troops to enhance battle capabilities.

Creature Summons: Using intricate creature miniatures to add strategic depth.

Victory Points: The primary source of victory points comes from sacrificing captured prisoners, a mechanism that feels uncomfortable for some players.

Game Objective: The goal is to score the most points by capturing cities, advancing buildings, and strategically using resources.

Player Experience

Playing Yucatan can be a complex and sometimes uncomfortable experience due to its theme of sacrificing prisoners. The game requires a slow build-up of resources and strategic decisions, such as when to lose battles to gain certain advantages. The solo mode, in particular, involves battling a solo opponent and managing random events, though the rules for these events have been confusing for some players. Despite the challenges, the game offers nuanced battle strategies and interesting decisions, especially in later rounds.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Interesting decisions to make during battles, including the strategic use of losing battles.

Miniature Quality: Intricate creature miniatures that add a neat element to the game.

Calculated Victory Points: A system that requires a slow build-up over time to score points.

Building Advancements: Neat choices that help focus on specific areas.

Combination Possibilities: Turns allow combining building and troop activations in various ways.

Cons

Rulebook Errors: The initial rulebook was riddled with errors, making learning and playing difficult.

Uncomfortable Theme: Sacrificing prisoners is a theme that does not provide fun or satisfaction for many players.

Component Quality: Underwhelming quality of troop miniatures and other components like the pyramids.

Setup and Play Time: Long setup and game time, which can be discouraging despite the promise of a streamlined experience.

Personal Thoughts on Yucatan

Yucatan is for players who enjoy complex strategy and conflict games, particularly those familiar with Kemet: Blood and Sand. However, the game’s theme and some design choices may not appeal to everyone. It is essential for potential buyers to consider the game’s unique mechanics and the time commitment required. For those willing to navigate the complexities and thematic discomfort, Yucatan offers a rich and challenging gaming experience.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.