Amul Board Game First Impressions

Amul has players drafting cards to build their tableau.

Can they keep it all in hand?

The city of Amul was one of the largest centers of international trade in ancient times and an important transit point on the Great Silk Road. The prosperity of this splendid city of merchants peaked after Arabian conquest in the 10th century and it was destroyed by the Mongols in 1220.

Amul Game Overview

Quick Rules Summary

Players have a hand of 5 cards, they draw one and discard one to the market. Players then take a card from the market in turn order.

They then select one card from their hand face down and resolve them in turn order.

These cards are played into the player’s tableau are worth points, and/or are part of a set collection and/or have the ability to activate. These abilities usually allow players to take a card from 3 different areas, The Market, The Palace or the Bizarre.

The last round or so in the game depending on the player count gives the first player marker to the player with the most military rather than passing it left.

How do you win?

After 9 rounds, the game ends.

Cards in hand with a hand symbol on them are put into play. Players can also score a majority bonus for having the most Arab or Mongul cards in their tableau.

Players add up the points from their cards and the most points win.

Main Mechanisms

Drafting from a face-up selection then building a tableau. Of course, the set collection and combing cards are a major part.

USP

I’m not sure anything here from this game is unique, even when it was released in 2019.

Theme

The theme is OK. It doesn’t show through and it’s not the best use of a theme from this era though.

Setup

Setup involves sorting out the cards for the player count and putting cards in the Palace and Bizarre.

It’s not too bad.

Components & Artwork

The cards are very standard.

I don’t like the art on the cards too much it’s not for me.

Ease of Teaching

The game is easy to teach. The cards have arrows that point to who and what affects their scoring. Some make sense at a glance, others do not.

Similar Games

It has huge 7 Wonders Vibes.

Amul Review

Positives

Simple gameplay and fast rounds once everyone knows what they’re doing. Plenty of phases can be done simultaneously.

Pulling off a combo and getting the cards you need is satisfying.

As certain cards in hand go into play at the end of the game for free, this eventually leads to really tough card selection as your hand fills up with cards you want to keep.

Turn order is important making the choice to get army cards for late turn early picks is a good choice because…

Negatives

…late game, being late in turn order can be a bit dull with not much to do.

You can get lucky drawing resources you need to complete sets.

With so many different symbols, you’re constantly in the rulebook looking stuff up.

At 8 players, it’s difficult to keep your eye on what players have in their tableau. Some cards score, or devalue depending on what other players have.

With this in mind, it does hog table space too.

Summary

An OK set collection game.

Jesta ThaRogue