Zapotec (2022) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Zapotec is a board game designed by Fabio Lopiano and published by Board&Dice in in 2022. The game is set in ancient times, specifically in the Zapotec civilization of Mesoamerica. Players take on the roles of rival tribes seeking to expand their territories and influence in the region.

Game Components of Zapotec

1 main game board

4 Player boards

45 Building tiles

4 Palace tiles

36 Trade tiles

9 Scoring tiles

60 Resource tiles (15 each of Wood, Brick, Stone, and Corn)

15 Coin tokens

15 Priest tokens

27 Action cards

10 Ritual tokens

27 Cokijoboat cards (for solo play)

4 Reference cards

36 wooden Houses

20 wooden discs

12 small Pyramid pieces

8 medium Pyramid pieces

4 large Pyramid pieces
All components are of excellent quality with thick cardboard, cardstock, and solid wood, accompanied by colorful illustrations by Zbigniew Umgelter and Aleksander Zawada.

How To Setup Zapotec

To set up Zapotec, start by shuffling the Action card deck and drawing one card at random to place face-up on the main game board. Then, draw several Action cards equal to one more than the number of players and place them face-up in a row next to the main game board, known as the “Offer.” Draw four more Action cards and place them face-down next to the Offer row. Finally, deal the remaining Action cards to the players, who should keep them hidden. Next, shuffle the Ritual card deck, draw three, and place them face-up next to the main game board. Return any unused Ritual cards to the game box.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Area Majority

Hand Management

Resource Management

Building and Placement

Game Objective

The objective is to build and manage a thriving pre-Columbian civilization by planting crops, feeding the population, building structures, and scoring Victory Points. Players achieve this by managing Action cards, resources, and building tiles. The game ends after the fifth round, and the player with the most Victory Points, earned through various aspects like building, rituals, and contributions to pyramids and houses, wins.

Player Experience

Zapotec offers a tight, clever puzzle that rewards careful planning. Players generate resources and build structures on their player boards, which then translate into actions and rewards on the main game board. The game ramps up quickly, making it engaging and finishable within a fairly short time frame for a development game. The satisfaction comes from seeing a well-planned player board generate loads of resources and actions.

Pros

Engaging Mechanics: Combines area majority, hand management, and resource management effectively.

High Replayability: Varied Action cards and Rituals ensure different game experiences.

Quality Components: Excellent materials and colorful illustrations enhance the game’s theme.

Quick Ramp-Up: The game starts quickly and maintains a good pace.

Cons

Complex Setup: Initial setup can be time-consuming due to the number of components.

Steep Learning Curve: Multiple mechanics and rules can be overwhelming for new players.

Solo Mode Limitations: The solo mode, while functional, lacks the strategic depth of playing against real opponents.

Personal Thoughts on Zapotec

Zapotec is for fans of midweight strategy games who enjoy a mix of resource management, building, and area control. It is ideal for players looking for a game that offers deep strategic decisions but finishes within a reasonable time frame. However, it may not be the best fit for new board game players due to its complexity and the time required for setup. For those who appreciate puzzles and planning, Zapotec provides a highly satisfying experience with its clever mechanics and rewarding gameplay.

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