|
|
Batavia |
 |
|
Availability:
Out of stock
List Price:
$59.95
Our Price:
$38.95
You Save:
$21.00 (35%)
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Description:
Magnificent sunsets, exotic flora and fauna, the aroma of finest spices in the air – the Far East has always had a magical appeal to adventurers, soldiers of fortune, explorers, traders and merchants.
Around 400 years ago, merchants in many different countries organized themselves into companies so that they could send larger fleets of ships to the Far East.
They hoped for huge profits from these voyages, because spices such as pepper and nutmeg were quite literally worth their weight in gold.
|
 | | Batavia Images: | | | |  | | Our Rating:
Our Review:
Batavia is a fun trading/commodity-collecting themed game that throws in some national pride for a handful of European countries as spice. Players attempt to gain the majority stake in a number of spices and other commodities by controlling countries’ trading ships in exotic waters.
Batavia’s artwork is fun and the theme is interesting, and game rounds involve all players at each of the various stages, so everyone stays engaged. This game will take longer, the more players there are.
The mechanics of Batavia are primarily bidding and set collecting, but there are a lot of other details in the rules that allow for a thoughtful gaming experience with ample strategy to keep avid gamers entertained, such learning to influence the pirate attack cannon that wipes out the largest of the countries’ ship fleets periodically.
The rules of Batavia are a lot to take in, and for first-time players, it can be difficult to remember which symbols on cards and tiles are to be used during which phases of your turn, but like any moderately complex game, these rules are absorbed after playing several rounds and become relatively second nature by the end of your first game. There is perhaps a little more memory burden on players of Batavia than most other games, because some of the rules feel a little manufactured and do not flow naturally from the theme of the game; for example, the rule that trading post counters can only be traded for gold coins during a turn when a new type of trading post counter is collected. You will likely find yourself referring to the rule book quite a bit during your first couple of games. Thankfully, the English version of the rules is excellently written and seems complete and clear.
The numerous combinations of trading post counter placements during game setup, as well as the randomness of the ship card drawing, will make each game experience unique. While the rules may be a little too thick for those desiring a light, conversational game, there is a lot of player interaction to compensate for the numerous rules to remember, and there is plenty of substance here to entertain for repeat play. Batavia should be a welcome addition to any game library of moderate-to-serious gamers.
| |
User Reviews:
| Solid game
This is a somewhat over looked game. It has good game play, the title placement changes the game each time and being able to see only five titles in advance, max, gives you just room to plan ahead but still be fuzzy on what the next set of 5 tiles will be.
If it has a fault it is in that it is hard to explain game play and the rules, you have to play it to get it. It is more like Fresco in depth in game play and explaining the rules than Ticket to Ride, or games of that ilk. Just a lot more going on. I think this is why it is overlooked.
by Mark (Dec 12 2011)
| | |
Rate Batavia by Rio Grande Games:
All reviews become the sole property of Wasatch Game Company. |
|
| | | |
|
