Was it fun?
Yes, I enjoyed playing Splendor.
What were the player interactions?
The player interactions were collecting gems and cards to react to a point goal.
How long did it take to learn?
It did not take very long to learn, we played a game similar to the rules of building/collecting and “buying” so it made it easier to get the hang of.
What was the most frustrating moment or aspect of what you just played?
The most frustrating part was if you and another player were looking to collect the same card/gems and they got to it first or the gems ran out.
What was your favorite moment or aspect of what you just played?
My favorite aspect was “buying/trading” gem tokens/ cards for other, better cards. I liked thinking ahead to my next move(s) and strategically collecting cards/ gems.
Was there anything you wanted to do that you couldn’t?
I wanted to take three of the same gem, but we could only take two. I understand that it wouldn’t be as interesting if there wasn’t this restriction, so I didn’t get too mad about this.
If you had a magic wand to wave, and you could change, add, or remove anything
from the experience, what would it be?
I wouldn’t change or add anything, I thought this game was created well and had necessary rules for the game to be enjoyable.
Is this a game you would play again? Yes _____ No ______ Why
Yes, because I would want to try different techniques and see how hard it would be to collect other cards/gems that I didn’t the first time.
Analyze the game using the 3 act structure.
The first act is the set up of the game with the cards and gem tokens, and all the players starting with nothing. The second act is when players start collecting their desired gems and setting goals to collect specific cards for points, and in this process they begin to work towards 15 points. Lastly, the third act is when players close in on 15 points, and concludes when a player reaches the goal, and everyone tallies their card points to determine the winner.
What are the collaborative and or competitive aspects of the game?
There is no collaboration between players, the focus is all on competition. Players compete by racing to collect specific cards before their opponents can claim them, and racing to reach 15 points first to win the game
What is the game’s metaphor and which of the game’s mechanics standout?
The game’s metaphor is building wealth through gem trading and development over time. A key mechanic that stood out is the collection and use of gem tokens. Unlike the cards, which can only be claimed once, the gem tokens remain reusable throughout the game. This mechanic highlights the ongoing flow of resources that players could continually use to increase their wealth.