Game: Jamaica Board Game – 2nd Edition
Publisher: Asmodee
Designers: Bruno Cathala, Malcom Braff, & Sébastien Pauchon
Players: 2-6
Ages: 8+
Playing Time: 30-60 minutes
Category: Racing, Strategy, Pirate Fun
Where to purchase – Most Game Shops and Amazon.com
Overview: Ahoy, mateys! Jamaica is a fast-paced, pirate-themed racing game that sends players sailing around the island of Jamaica, gathering treasure, dodging obstacles, and battling for supremacy on the high seas. The game is packed with action, strategic choices, and just enough chaos to keep players on their toes. Whether you’re a seasoned pirate or a greenhorn, this game offers a lighthearted yet engaging experience that’s perfect for family game nights or casual gatherings with friends.
What’s in the box?
- 1 Gameboard
- 66 Action cards in 6 colors (1 color per player)
- 80 Gold Doubloon tokens (All tokens are cardboard)
- 45 Food tokens
- 45 Gunpowder tokens
- 9 Treasure tokens
- 12 Treasure cards
- 6 Ships (plastic)
- 6 Personal Boards (Holds of your ships)
- 1 Compass marker – indicates captain for each round
- 2 Action says
- 1 combat die
Let’s talk about the components – they’re absolutely top-notch. The board is vibrant and colorful, depicting the island of Jamaica and the surrounding sea, while the ship tokens are cute, chunky plastic pieces that sail across the map. The cards, representing actions, are well-designed, and the treasure chest pieces add to the overall pirate theme. The artwork is charming and playful, ensuring that players feel immersed in their swashbuckling adventure from start to finish. And let’s not forget the pirate coins – they are beautifully designed and fit perfectly with the theme.
The box is well designed too. The game tray holds everything perfectly, with individual compartments for each players cards and ships. Nice!
Gameplay
In Jamaica , the goal is to collect as much treasure in a race around the island. Don’t be fooled – it’s not just about speed. Players must manage their resources (money, food, and cannons) while battling for treasure and attempting to sabotage each other. Each round, players play one action card from their hand, revealing daytime and nighttime actions. Actions are to: collect food, or collect cannons, or collect gold, or move (forwards and backwards).
The game is built around resource management and careful positioning. Can you outmaneuver the other pirates and pick up the best treasures without running out of food, gold or cannons? Should you race out to an early lead? Or should you accumulate resources first?
Some of the real fun begins when players start using the cannon cards to engage in combat. If you land on the same space as another pirate, you can challenge them to a fight. A pirate duel occurs, with players comparing their cannon strengths. The loser loses a treasure chest or some other charge. This adds a layer of excitement and tension, as players will need to plan carefully when to be aggressive and when to play it cool.
These decisions make each race thrilling, and it’s never just about the best luck – it’s about finding the right balance of strategy and risk-taking.
Strategy
The key to victory lies in timing and resource management. Early on, it’s crucial to stock up on food, gold and cannons so that you can survive the most dangerous parts of the island and outgun your opponents. But it’s also vital to keep a close eye on the race – if you fall too far behind, you may find it difficult to catch up. And don’t forget the treasure – it’s worth points at the end of the game, but it’s a delicate balancing act.
The interplay between managing resources, fighting, and speed creates a game that’s never quite the same twice. Every race feels fresh and exciting, especially as players start sabotaging each other and stealing treasures.
Pros:
- Easy to Learn: The rules are simple, making it accessible to new gamers or families with younger kids.
- Quick and Fun: With an average playtime of 30-60 minutes, Jamaica is ideal for shorter game sessions or when you want something light and breezy.
- Great Theme and Art: The pirate theme is fun, and the components are high-quality and well-constructed.
- Strategy with a Twist: The combination of resource management, combat, and race mechanics creates a deep yet enjoyable strategic experience.
- Family-Friendly: It’s perfect for families or groups, with a healthy mix of luck and strategy.
- Six Players! : There are not too many board games that cater to 6 players, but this one does!
- Well-designed Storage Box – I pointed this out earlier. I’m a sucker for a well-designed tray inside the game box!
- Well-written Rules – The rulebook is great. Usually I recommend watching YouTube videos to learn how to play. But you don’t really need to here.
Cons:
- Player Interaction: While the combat adds a fun layer, it might not be enough for players who prefer deep strategic interaction throughout the game.
- Luck Factor: This game balances luck and skill, but some players might get luckier than others during the game … whether it’s dice rolls, or top decking the perfect card at the right time.
Final Thoughts
Jamaica is an absolute blast – it combines racing, strategy, and a healthy dose of pirate-themed chaos to create a game that’s perfect for a lighthearted evening of fun. The mechanics are easy to grasp, but the strategic depth ensures that it holds your attention, whether you’re an experienced gamer or a casual player looking for something enjoyable. The battles, treasure hunts, and resource management offer just enough variety to keep things fresh while delivering plenty of tension and excitement.
It may not be the most complex game out there, but if you’re looking for a colorful, fast-paced race with some delightful interactions and a great theme, Jamaica is definitely worth setting sail with.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 – A fantastic, fun pirate race with just the right mix of strategy and randomness. Perfect for groups and families alike!
Pojo Note: Each player’s deck consists of 11 cards. You can lay cards side by side to create a one continuous mural of pirate artwork!
