Macao*

In the late 17th century, amid the enigmatic aura of Macao, a bustling port city on China's southern coast, adventure and opportunity beckon. Macao, a board game set in this Portuguese trading post of the Far East, casts players as bold and enterprising adventurers. As captains, governors, craftsmen, or scholars, they face a plethora of thrilling tasks and challenges. The key to success lies in navigating this world of opportunity with sagacity, strategy, and vision. Will you emerge as the most prestigious figure in Macao?

Gameplay Overview

  • Twelve Rounds of Strategy: Macao unfolds over twelve rounds, each brimming with choices and decisions. Players must make the most of every opportunity presented in this vibrant and dynamic city.

  • Strategic Card Selection: In each round, players choose a new card from a specific display. The deck boasts 96 cards, each brimming with unique abilities and powers. The challenge lies in selecting cards wisely, as potent actions often come at a higher resource cost.

  • Dice and the Ship's Wheel: A pivotal element of the game involves rolling six differently colored dice. Players then choose two of these dice and place cubes on their personalized "ship's wheel" based on the selected dice values and colors. The ship's wheel becomes a resource management tool throughout the game.

  • Resource Management: Players rotate their ship's wheels each round and strategically allocate cubes to perform various actions. These actions include activating cards, acquiring city quarters, moving ships across Europe, collecting gold coins, utilizing card powers, and advancing on a turn order track.

Special Features

  • Alea Big Box Series: Macao is part of the prestigious alea big box series. It offers a rich and immersive gaming experience with an estimated difficulty level of 6/10 on the alea scale.

  • Varied Strategies: The game's depth allows for diverse strategies, rewarding players who can adapt and plan for the long term while seizing immediate opportunities.

  • Historical Ambiance: Dive into the historical ambiance of Macao in the 17th century, where every decision resonates with the spirit of the era.

Conclusion

Macao is a captivating journey through the bustling streets and alleys of a historical trading post. As you assume the roles of daring adventurers, your strategic choices will shape your destiny in this vibrant and dynamic world. With every card selection and cube placement, you'll inch closer to becoming the most prestigious figure in the city. Embark on this thrilling adventure, and may your wisdom and strategy guide you to victory in the intriguing world of Macao.

Nominated for 6 awards.

  • 2 - 4 Players
  • 50 - 100 Minutes
  • 12+ years old
  • Medium difficulty

Video reviews, ratings, Let's Plays and tests for Macao

  • YouTube Review for the game "Macao" by BoardGameGeek
    Video is in English

We like Macao so much that we recommend it in the following board game recommendation lists 2024

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