Basari
A board game
From: Out Of The Box Publishing
Reviewed by: Marc Shayed
Basari is a new board game from Out Of The Box Publishing. In this game players haggle, barter, plead, and make deals with each other every round. This is a game of acquiring gems. Each player is trying to collect as many gems (and points) as possible. However, in this game, is an other player is attempting the same thing as you are… then you have to barter and haggle with the other player (“What! Two for that? You must be mad!” ) to see who gets to do the action.
From the back of the box:
“Step Right Up! Enter the street bazaar… the enticing sights, sounds, and the flavor of the marketplace are everywhere!
In BASARI players act as merchants who compete on the streets of a lucrative gem marketplace. Each round, players can earn valuable points by haggling and bartering for precious gemstones. The player with the most points after 3 rounds wins BASARI.”
In a nutshell that’s it… well there are a few more details.
Game play
Each player places his “merchant” piece somewhere on the board, along with their “start disk” (to keep track of where they started), and their “points marker” on the start arrow. Each round all of the players roll their D6 to see how many spaces to move around the board. The places they stop on show different colored gems that they may want to try to acquire.
important note: In this game there are no “turns” that each player takes. Each round ALL of the players move, select actions, and try to earn points.
Once all players have moved, they all chose (secretly) 1 of 3 actions (as printed on their cards). “Gem Stones”, “Points”, and “Die” are the 3 actions that a player can choose. Once all players have selected their action, they reveal (all at once) what action they wish to do. As long as no other player has picked the same action everyone gets to do his or her action . However, if another player wants to do the same action, then players must haggle and barter with each other to see who gets to do the action. The player that wins, pays the other player in gems to do the action.
Actions
The three actions are as follows:
The “Gemstones” action allows the player to collect the gemstones from the space they have landed on. Each space of the board shows 2 to 4 different gems, all with different values.
The “Points” action allows the player to collect the points from space that their “merchant” is standing on. The points range from 4 to 7 per space.
The “Die” action (doesn’t kill anything) allows players to move their merchant further along the market place. It isn’t worth many points (0-4) but there are bonus points awarded for players that make complete laps of the board.
Gems
Blue gems are worth 8 points
Green gems are worth 10 points
Yellow gems are worth 12 points
Red gems are worth 14 points
The gems are the money of the game, and the basis of the points to win the game. So when bartering for actions, it is important to balance the value of what you will have to spend, verses what you will get from the action.
So… what does Marc really think?
This is a great example of a good social game for people to enjoy. There is no real ‘plot’, no direct conflict, no real opportunity to gang up on someone… just good clean fun. This is VERY suitable for “family fun”.
The rules are very simple and straightforward, and my play testers were able to open the box, set up and begin playing in 10mins. My play testers enjoyed the game, and said that they would play again.
I am happy to give Basari a high recommendation!
Above all I suggest you judge for yourselves. Take a look at Out Of The Box Publishing and their new board game Basari at their website http://www.otb-games.com …and of course at all of your local game stores!
Basari
From: Out Of The Box Publishing
Type of Game: Board Game
Game Created by: Reinhard Staupe
Retail Price: $ 19.99 (US)
Number of Players: 3-4
Player Ages: 10+
Play Time: 20-30mins
Item Number: 5555
IBSN: 0-9716729-0-3
Email: info@otb-games.com
Website: www.otb-games.com
Reviewed by: Marc Shayed
Review Editor
http://www.GamingReport.com
