Istanbul: Mocha & Baksheesh*

Istanbul: Mocha & Baksheesh is the first expansion to the award-winning board game Istanbul, which won the prestigious 2014 Kennerspiel des Jahres. This expansion introduces the lucrative trade of coffee into the bustling bazaar of Istanbul, opening new avenues for merchants to expand their businesses and outmaneuver their competitors. Players now have the opportunity to deal in the popular new commodity, navigating the challenges and opportunities that the coffee trade brings.

Gameplay Overview

• New Commodity: Coffee adds a new layer of strategy to the game, providing players with another product to buy, sell, and use to gain an advantage.
• Additional Locations: Four new places are introduced, expanding the bazaar and offering new actions and opportunities. These locations increase the game's complexity and strategic depth.
• Enhanced Player Interaction: The expansion fosters more interaction among players, with mechanisms that allow for increased competition and cooperation as players vie for the precious rubies.
• Strategic Opportunities: With the help of tavern guests (for a baksheesh) and the guild hall's valuable assistance, players can navigate the new challenges introduced by the coffee trade.

Special Features

• Increased Replayability: The expansion enriches the base game with additional strategies and paths to victory, ensuring that no two games are alike.
• Deeper Strategic Depth: The introduction of coffee as a commodity, along with new locations and actions, provides players with more decisions and strategic options.
• Enhanced Theme: The theme of bustling market activity is further enriched with the addition of coffee trading, immersing players in the vibrant commerce of Istanbul.

Conclusion

Istanbul: Mocha & Baksheesh significantly enhances the gameplay experience of the original Istanbul board game, introducing the exciting element of coffee trading. With new locations, increased player interaction, and additional strategic layers, this expansion offers fans of the base game fresh challenges and renewed enjoyment. Whether strategizing over the best use of baksheesh or planning the most efficient route through the expanded bazaar, players will find Istanbul: Mocha & Baksheesh a rewarding addition to their board game collection, inviting them back to the market for many more hours of engaging play.