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Release Date

2012

Game Designer
Simone Luciani
Theme

Civilisation

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Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar

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workerplacement
Worker Placement

Game DNA

Complexity

SimpleDense
CasualIntense
StraightforwardComplex

Experience

PassiveInteractive
MinimalOpen-Ended
LuckSkill
FrequentlyRarely
SolitaryEngaging
DryImmersive

Value for Money

BasicPremium
RarelyVariable

Lead your people, build monuments and make offerings to earn the favour of the gods.

Playing Time

90 - 100 Minutes

Player Count

2 - 4 Players

Tzolkin: The Mayan Calendar presents a new game mechanism: dynamic worker placement. Players representing different Mayan tribes place their workers on giant connected gears, and as the gears rotate they take the workers to different action spots. During a turn, players can either (a) place one or more workers on the lowest visible spot of the gears or (b) pick up one or more workers. When placing workers, they must pay corn, which is used as a currency in the game. When they pick up a worker, they perform certain actions depending on the position of the worker. Actions located "later" on the gears are more valuable, so it's wise to let the time work for you – but players cannot skip their turn; if they have all their workers on the gears, they have to pick some up. The game ends after one full revolution of the central Tzolkin gear. There are many paths to victory. Pleasing the gods by placing crystal skulls in deep caves or building many temples are just two of those many paths...

Reviews

Luke's avatar
Luke
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A really cool design that utilises the Cog system really well. Its not just a gimmick it really does impact the game. Tech trees are fun but the feed your people mechanic can feel a little arduous. All in all this is a fantastic game and one I will almost always be willing to play.

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