Get ready to immerse yourself in the dazzling spectacle of Laguna di Venezia’s glassmaking scene! Mille Fiori transports you into the heart of this vibrant world where you, donning the mantle of a master glassmaker, orchestrate a symphony of decorative patterns, create exquisite pieces of art, and navigate a bustling trade network.
2-4 players, ages 10+
Playing time: 60-90 minutes
Designer: Reiner Knizia
Artwork: Stephan Lorenz
Publisher: 999 Games
https://www.999games.nl/
🃏 At the beginning of each round, players are dealt five cards. This forms the basis of a drafting phase, where players select one card from their hand, place it face down, and pass the remaining cards to their neighbor.
🎴 The heart of the gameplay lies in the selection and play of these cards. Once everyone has chosen a card, they’re played in turn order. The chosen card then determines where you place a token of your color this turn. Alternatively, you can opt not to place a token and use the card for ship movement.
📊 What makes Mille Fiori intriguing is the variety of ways to score points. Depending on the location where you place your glasswork on the board, points are scored in different ways. Chains of the same color glass, the row the glass is in, or the number of types of glass already present in the location all influence your score.
🎁 Each location on the board works differently and offers bonuses when certain conditions are met. These bonuses can either be additional points or the chance to play an extra card from the public display, thereby taking an additional action. It’s essential to keep these bonuses in mind as they can significantly boost your score and alter the game’s dynamic.
🔄 Once all players have played their cards and taken their actions, the last card from each player’s hand is placed in the public display, marking the end of the round. This card can be played in the next round if a player meets the conditions for an extra action.
🏆 Mille Fiori continues over an undetermined number of rounds, until one player has placed all their glasswork on the board, or the draw pile is depleted. At the culmination of this captivating journey of strategy and creativity, the player with the most points is crowned as the most renowned glassmaker of Laguna di Venezia!
Designed by the renowned game designer Reiner Knizia, Mille Fiori is a fast-paced family game that effortlessly marries the excitement of card drafting with the strategic depth of point salad gameplay. Its vibrant colors and well-balanced locations create an inviting atmosphere that’s accessible to both newcomers and seasoned gamers.
🔄 Central to Mille Fiori’s gameplay is the crucial act of card selection. Every turn, players are tasked with reading the state of the board and choosing a card based on the current scenario. The game is designed in such a way that every action scores you points, encouraging an opportunistic style of play.
There are five different locations where you can place your tiles, each offering various ways to score points. The bonuses, which can either be a substantial point boost or an extra action, play a significant role in the game, often leading to big, game-changing turns.
🎯 What sets Mille Fiori apart is its level of player interaction and strategic depth. Keeping an eye on your opponents is critical – you don’t want to allow them to monopolize a location, but instead, aim to disrupt their plans. During the drafting phase, understanding your rivals’ strategies is vital to prevent passing them the card they desperately need. If you let them run rampant, they’ll quickly amass a large number of points.
🌈 Visually, Mille Fiori is a feast for the eyes. The game boasts vibrant colors that perfectly complement the theme of glassmaking. The translucent pieces, which represent your glasswork, add a pleasing tactile dimension to the gameplay and the overall feeling of the game.
👥 While Mille Fiori can feel a bit too open for two players, it truly shines at a three or four player count. The game’s flexible nature makes it an excellent choice for family game nights and even sessions with hardcore gamers. Regardless of the audience, Mille Fiori promises a tense and interactive gaming experience.
*Disclaimer: We received a review copy of the game from the publisher
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