Imhotep

Finally found this after forgetting the name of it for a time. The boat management aspect is quite fun and I enjoyed it more than many games. Stuck in my mind enough that I've continued to take it off the shelf for three or four years. A bit denser than some, but not hard to teach or learn.

Imhotep is a sleek relatively short game, where players try to construct different monuments and buildings in ancient Egypt by hauling blocks of stone to required locations. The caveat is that opponents might decide when and where the boats with the stone are directed - and ruin your plans, or, on the opposite, help them. This is a game with a certain 'push-your-luck' element, but has place for certain negotiations with the opponents (even though it's not quite supported by the game engine, it will almost become a necessity), and that's why it is somewhat different from a slew of standard eurogames. There are no difficult calculations or high-level strategy in the game, it's almost a race. Do you send the boat now with less stone or risk passing it and hoping you can get another one on board in the next turn? Are you sure you want to send the boat now - you will profit, but your opponent will, too? Small decisions and lots of secret hope please, not this ship! makes for an interesting and somewhat tense game. On the other hand, if everything falls far away from your plans, it's not a 3-4 hour time hog - the game is pretty quick and you can finish it fast. As for components, they are somewhat basic - cards are ok, scoring boards and boat tiles are ok, but the blocks are huge, chunky and feel good to hold - those are not average size 'eurocubes', they do feel solid and monumental. The base game has 5 2-sided locations (only 1 side is used per game), providing variability - and only 4 boats are sent each game (and the size of the boats is also randomized); market cards are also randomly assigned, and as such this is a game with a lot of replayability. While the games are pretty different, it reminds me of Istanbul by the tight design and high interaction between the players. A nice game. It's not a super-hit, definitely not a game that comes in 'top 10 favorite of all time' lists, but it is a very nice way for small companies to spend some time in the evening without overthinking. A good detraction from heavier games, when you want a bit of push-your-luck and player interaction.

Imhotep is a family weight game that is so simple to just jump in and play even with people who don't often play games. It's all about player interaction, not all of it very nice, as you compete to contribute the most blocks to the various construction projects using boats as a pick up and deliver mechanism. Some of the areas that you are building score immediately and some are scored at the end of the game. Timing your deliveries to construction sites correctly and choosing the placement of your block on the boat are key tactics. It's a fun, quick, warm up game if you're playing with a group and plan on playing a few games in one evening. Quite enjoyable.

Easy to learn and quick to get playing. I love the giant wood blocks. Load stones on your sled, load stones onto boats, send boats to port. Those are the options on your turn. Devilishly clever choices must be made. Send my opponents boat to the least helpful port? Load more onto boats ? Multiple scoring times is a nice touch as well. Some are immediate, some others are end game , and some are end of round. Quick and fun!

Easy to learn and quick to get playing. I love the giant wood blocks. Load stones on your sled, load stones onto boats, send boats to port. Those are the options on your turn. Devilishly clever choices must be made. Send my opponents boat to the least helpful port? Load more onto boats ? Multiple scoring times is a nice touch as well. Some are immediate, some others are end game , and some are end of round. Quick and fun!

Easy to learn does require strategy ( even 2 player ) game pieces are made from very good card stock the 120 Wooden Cubes are great quality (and are bigger than the Pandemic cubes) A and B-sided game board allows you to play either or mix and match

Easy to learn does require strategy ( even 2 player ) game pieces are made from very good card stock the 120 Wooden Cubes are great quality (and are bigger than the Pandemic cubes) A and B-sided game board allows you to play either or mix and match