Botswana Board Game Review
I’ve never played Botswana or any of the previous versions of the game (with various different titles), but was able to pick up a copy of the 25th Century Games version from my online retailer. Over the Easter weekend, we got a bunch of games played, and I love the simplicity and strategy this game offers.
Components wise, this is a really impressive box for about 24.99 CAD. There are cards numbered from 0-5 for each animal – elephants, meerkats, hippos, giraffes, and lions – and 5 animals per type as well as little wooden pieces. These animals are all screen printed and look fantastic. The production here is phenomenal. The card quality is OK in my opinion, but with so few cards in the box, I do think I’ll sleeve them anyways.
Cards are dealt out evenly to players, sometimes with a few set aside, and on a turn, players will play a single card from their hand to the centre of the table, and select one animal to add to their supply. Cards of the same type are played on top of each other, making sure previous values are visible, but noting that the top card is the value of that animal. After the sixth card has been played for one animal, the round instantly ends. You look at the animals you have, check their value based on cards played, and points are added to the scoreboard. After rounds equal to the number of players have been played, the player with the most points wins!
Botswana is such a simple game, and can be taught to almost anyone. I’ve played this with all adults, and even with my young kids. And everyone seems to enjoy the experience. It sounds like there wouldn’t be much of a game here, but there is so much strategy in what cards you play, and which animals you select.
Botswana can be seen as a mean game, because you will actively try to make the values of other players animals worth less. And there can be some crazy situations where someone goes from tons of points, to only a few points, in a turns around the table. This game is quick, though, so hopefully people won’t get too bent out of shape. But if you play with people who hate confrontation, this isn’t the game for you!
Botswana might be one of my favourite games to play for a few reasons: it is easy to teach, easy to play, and easy to transport. This will be a constant at board game nights for years to come, I believe! Check it out!
Article By Adam
