Attika and design

Having played just four games of Attika now, I’ve decided that I’m very impressed with the design of Attika’s modular board. What I really like about it is not so much that it is modular, but that the game can’t even be completed without adding more sections to the board. You must draw building tiles in order to be able to place new map sections (so you can place more buildings). You can also control when you place the new section by manipulating your draws. Being able to place your new map sections anywhere you like adds a new level of complexity to the game that wasn’t there at the beginning. And they do add a lot of complexity - new sections can be used offensively or defensively and will also affect the cost of further buildings for you and/or your opponents.

The amphoras have a similar effect. You have none at the beginning of the game (though in theory you could get one on the first turn). Having an amphora adds to your options, especially in so far as you are able to threaten to win by connecting two temples. If your opponent has one or more amphoras, you have to be more diligent about defense.

In both cases complexity is added as the game progresses, which helps new players learn the game and still be competitive during their first play. One of the things I don’t like about certain games (e.g. Settlers of Cataan) is that the decision with the biggest impact on your success in the game is made at the very beginning. Your first impression of a game can easily be soured when you realize that the very first decision you made has now made it virtually impossible for you to win. In short, games where the complexity ramps up as you go really helps out new players, and in turn those of us who end up teaching them how to play.

Wednesday night games - Attika, San Juan

On Wednesday night (Nov. 21st), I was able to squeeze in a few pre-Thanksgiving games with Doug and Paul. I brought my fairly recent acquisitions of Attika and San Juan, which neither of them had played.

The first game of Attika ended when each of us had about two-thirds of our buildings on the board. By saving two amphora and using a couple of turns building up resource cards, I was able to lay down a new hex and make a sudden move at the temple Paul was guarding. Although I didn’t get the draw I needed to build all the way there on the first turn, Paul only had a couple of resources and couldn’t manage to block. I’m not sure if Doug could have blocked the spot, but if so he chose not to form a new (and permanently unconnected) settlement and I was able to connect two temples shortly thereafter.

Both wanted to try Attika again, so we played a second game. Doug made an early move towards the center and allowed me to connect to the temple behind him. From that point it was very hard to block me. It was over in about five turns.

Next we opened up San Juan. It was their first and only my second game. I opened strong, getting an early library and a quick lead. Doug went strong on production buildings and Paul got an archive and then a library a bit later. I got a number of cards with the poor house and began to stock my chapel with quite a few cards. I missed some builds though, and Doug got a guild house and edged me out by one point.

Doug is going to borrow both games so I’m hoping for some more tightly contested games of Attika in the near future. After having played four times now, I’m very impressed with the design. Despite drawing tiles, there seems to be little luck and many tactical options.