What's your favorite low-setup game?
I've been thinking about games to play with my wife that require very little setup, because sometimes I don't want to set up #Everdell. Even #Viticulture: Essential Edition takes a bit to set up (though not as long as Everdell). #Res Arcana has piqued my interest, and it looks like setup is very quick while still offering a meaty, satisfying experience, but I'm not 100% sold on the actual gameplay, especially when considering my wife's tastes. I may pick it up at some point though, since it is quite affordable.
What are some other games that offer a full-feeling game experience while being quick to set up?
(inb4 #Race for the Galaxy - I know, but I don't want to have to teach this)
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I picked up #13 Minutes: The Cuban Missile Crisis randomly once. It's a nice looking game but I think compared to 13 days, the gameplay is too stripped down.
Courageous Bob 4 months ago
Yeah, we got 13 days after playing 13 minutes as we liked the theme and some of the ideas but it felt a little lacking. That said, we often take 13 minutes to play in airports.
theDL 5 months ago
Hmm, I'll have to look more into it. I think we've discussed it before, but I typically haven't been attracted to games iwth specific historical settings. Maybe it's time to try one, haha
Courageous Bob 5 months ago
It's honestly great, the decisions feel meaningful and have lasting consequences but the whole game only takes 40 minutes so if you mess up you don't have to worry for long. Although if you mess up, odds on you can turn it around in the next round.
Courageous Bob 5 months ago
We've played probably 20 games at this point, and it is still a bunch of fun. I think the replayability comes from both the randomness of the objectives compared to the current board state and trying to bluff and suss out your opponent at the same time.
Marshwiggle92 Supporter5 months ago
You already have my stock answer LOL. In addition I will suggest.
Lost Cities.
CIV: Carta Impera Victoria
Carcassonne
Courageous Bob 5 months ago
We had a really nice time with #Lost Cities but I'm not sure whether it will become a regular at our table.
Courageous Bob 5 months ago
I really love the art style on the cards and it is a surprisingly tactial game
theDL 5 months ago
Lost Cities and Carcassonne are good! Unfortunately my wife isn't a fan of LC. She does enjoy Carcassonne, though.
I'll look into CIV. Thanks!
WadeB1977 Premium User5 months ago
theDL 5 months ago
Oh yeah? We actually do have Wingspan, and to be honest I wouldn't call it low setup - more in the medium range. Perhaps my standards are too high in this department?
WadeB1977 Premium User5 months ago
lol, I was comparing to something like #Anachrony or even #Castles of Mad King Ludwig. I feel like those take 15-30 minutes for set up. #Wingspan takes about 5 as does #PARKS. Azul is probably a little faster than others. #Love Letter or even breaking out a coupl Magic the Gathering decks seem like super minimal setup.
nealkfrank 5 months ago
#Azul has really been a winner for us. just through out those coasters and start pulling from the bag!
Courageous Bob 5 months ago
That is true, it sets up nice and quick. Such a brutal game at 2P though, in the best possible way
nealkfrank 5 months ago
My wife and I have a pretty solid meta going on in the game, we are pretty competitive in the game!
Courageous Bob 5 months ago
I can imagine, especially if you've played together a bunch. Have you would there is quite a lot of depth once you really get into it?
nealkfrank 5 months ago
Azul is never going to be this really deep rich experience, BUT the more you play, the more you can recognize what will be a good play for you and what will hurt the other players plans the most. 2-player is really good for that. 3-p and 4-p is a different beast, much more to track.
Courageous Bob 5 months ago
For sure, with 2P you can predict what your opponent might want and try to push them in certain directions for your own advantage. Trying to do that with 3 other people would be very tricksy
nealkfrank 5 months ago
I shift my focus to getting first player as often as possible in 3 and 4-player games. There is a lot of power in selecting first!
Courageous Bob 5 months ago
That is true, although timing on when you take the 1st player token can help shape when people start taking from the middle and as such how many turns there are.
nealkfrank 5 months ago
Very true! You do need to make sure taking the first player token is worth the sacrifice. You better be getting tiles that will benefit you more than losing 1 point and will not benefit others THAT much. It is a good tension.
Courageous Bob 4 months ago
Have you played the other Azul's and found one you feel has more depth than the original?
nealkfrank 4 months ago
They play differently, I have only play the original and #Azul: Stained Glass of Sintra, they function similarly but they have some different mechanics thrown in there. Depth of mechnics is deeper but decision space is fairly similar.
Courageous Bob 5 months ago
One of our favourite 2P games (which I harp on about constantly) is #13 Days: The Cuban Missile Crisis - it has plenty of crunch for such a small game, takes 5 minutes max to set up, less once you know what you are doing: it's one deck of cards to shuffle, put the board out, put about 10 tokens/cubes in very set places and you are done. Only decision is who will be the Soviets and who will be the US.