RE: Let's Play Tzolk'in!
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Great write-up.
I found the following negative review on Amazon:
This game was all the rage when it appeared on the market, but in 6 months, experts found the winning strategy which is always the same. If you play with newbies who don't have a clue about this game, it's fun, because people try things and make mistakes. But if you happen to play with one of the experts, then you're doomed, he will always play the same strategy which is to get 6 workers very fast, level III tech of the resources row and pile up the wheat for 3 cycles, last cycles he can buy everything, large buildings, small buildings, and move up the ladders of the Gods to the tops and score over 200 while you're getting a 36. Broken game, don't buy it, don't play it.
I am curious if you have any thoughts about the criticism leveled by the above reviewer. Does the "Tribes and Prophecies" expansion pack fix the single-winning-strategy problem?
Heya, thank you very much! 😁
That's an awesome question. I have to support some of what the review says, as it can take quite a few plays to get good at Tzolkin for some people. A seasoned player will destroy a newer one every single time, much in the manner the reviewer states.
You need to be at a similar skill level as the other players to have fun with this one.
However, when you get a few good players together, there is no single winning strategy in my experience. I'd guess I've played at least 100 games against great players, and I have to say that the end score is often very close.
Any experienced player can do what that person is describing, and when everyone is doing it... phew, it gets hectic and is way fun/ challenging!
As for the expansion, I think it adds a dose of chaos for people like me who have played until their game boxes are falling apart 🤣. It certainly changes the game! The expansion adds in the option for a 5th player, as well as two new features.
The first are tribes, and now here is something I have to call unbalanced... Some give incredible abilities, and some do things that are so mundane you'll forget you have a tribe.
The second feature are calamities, which throw a curveball at you each quarter. They can do things like nullify technologies, or make food extremely hard to get. There is no great way to plan for them, and victory points are on the line. The expansion can shake even expert players with this randomness!
If you like intense strategy games, and have people who would be into playing, I bet you'd have a well-worn Tzolk'in box yourself soon if you got it 😂! I have to adamantly disagree that it is a broken game for sure. Haha, and now I've written you a small post, oops. I guess I really am passionate about Tzolk'in! lol 😎
Thanks for the thoughtful reply.
You've definitely piqued my interest.