Mombasa
About the Game
In Mombasa, players acquire shares of chartered companies based in Mombasa, Cape Town, Saint-Louis, and Cairo and spread their trading posts throughout the African continent in order to earn the most money. "As I expected, the East African Company's network of trading posts has spread far into the West. They were even able to expand into a couple of diamond mines. It seems reasonable to invest our recent yield here in Mombasa, rather than to continue our unrivalled commitment in Cape Town. Afte
Reviews
Mombasa
Mombasa completely hooked me with its deep strategic gameplay – even as I wrestled with feeling uneasy about the colonial theme. As a Euro gamer, I loved the crunchy mechanics here: the unique card cycling system (where cards you play take a while to come back to your hand) forces you to plan turns ahead, and the rivalry over company shares and board expansion creates delicious tension. Every decision in Mombasa feels meaningful. I found myself calculating not just how to boost “my” companies, but also how to sabotage others’ plans by expanding on the map or racing up a bookkeeping or diamond track. It’s interactive and cutthroat in a way many Euro games aren’t. The flip side is it’s a beast to learn – our first game had a lengthy teach and a slow start as everyone grasped the options. And yes, the theme of exploiting Africa made for some awkward jokes at the table; I appreciate the designer’s note distancing from historical reality, but it’s still something we noticed. Still, purely on gameplay, this is one of the most rewarding Euros I’ve played. I even consulted an AI to compare others’ views, and many echo my thoughts: brilliant mechanics, if you can get past the theme. I’d give it 9/10.
✓ Pros
- • Deep, complex strategy with unique mechanics
- • High player interaction and tension for a Euro
- • Rewarding long-term planning and engine-building
✗ Cons
- • Controversial colonial theme can feel uncomfortable
- • Steep learning curve and lengthy playtime
- • Best with 4 players; weaker at lower counts
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