Transparent rules, depth of strategy
In Aquatica, we play the role of the Lords of the Oceans and develop our kingdoms. We gain locations, recruit allies and complete objectives so that we have as many points as possible at the end of the game.
A key game mechanic is playing character cards. These have different abilities that will help us recruit new characters and gain new locations. We start the game with 6 characters in our hand. We play one of them, perform the action and discard it. In the next turn, we choose only five cards, in the next one from four … Fortunately, one of our characters has the ability to put the discarded cards back into his hand – but then we will not do anything else on our turn. One of the most important elements of the strategy becomes the decision at which point we decide to refresh the pool of shares.
After acquiring a location (by conquest or purchase), we put it in one of the special places on our board. This one is made in a special way because it allows you to partially hide the card. We will “pick up the locations from the depth” using their bonuses and thus inserting it more and more into the cutouts on the board. Only a fully raised location will give you points.
In the game we still have little helpers available with other bonuses – manta rays. We start the game with four, we will get more during the game. Here again we encounter the mechanics of using, blocking and refreshing abilities at the right moment.
We will combine all these aspects of the game as we perform our turns. Managing the acquired locations, properly playing characters and exhausting the mant’s abilities are elements of a strategic puzzle that is very pleasant to build.
Colorful coral reefs
Aquatika’s undersea kingdoms impress with their performance. The boards and locations have been decorated with atmospheric graphics, and the character portraits are painted in a pleasant, cartoon style. In addition, we have plastic mantas that not only look good, but are also convenient to turn around.
We have no problem with the legibility of the symbols on the cards, we can easily remember their operation after a few turns. However, it is a bit worse with reading the purple symbols on the manta rays, especially in worse lighting. Additionally, the red and orange colors of the players are too similar in shade and can be wrong.
Generally, however, the Aquatica looks great on the table, and after selecting the winner, we will pack it into a functional plastic insert in a box.
A breath of fresh breeze
The gameplay is in full swing from one turn to the next. We gain new opportunities, we face more and more difficult decisions. A few simple actions performed in the right order will result in a turn, during which, for example, we will scout, conquer a location, pick up two locations, get a manta, recruit a character, and then mark the location and return the character card to your hand. A lot can happen. And we will do it all smoothly, without unnecessary interpretation of the rules.
Aquatica is doing very well in every squad and even though the ending may be long (no one wants to end), the game will not take us longer than an hour.
