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One unique aspect of this game is that each player gets a different
board to play on. The game board of Puerto Rico gives a player spaces
for constructing buildings and developing plantations. The game play
takes the players through the motions of growing crops. These crops are
exchanged for either points or money. The money is used to buy
buildings. Possession of buildings gives them the privilege of growing
more crops and thus making more money.
The rules of Puerto Rico award players with different roles like that of
a Mayor, a Captain, Settler, Craftsman, Trader and Prospector. Such
roles bring special privileges with them. Each turn adds to or deletes
from a player’s score. Each player’s score is maintained hidden from
other players.
Playing Puerto Rico requires players to think strategically. Players
have to strike a balance between making money and earning points. An
often recommended strategy for players is to earn money early on in the
game and then switch over to earning points. The timing of the switch
over is very important.
Players also need to strike a balance between their shipping activities
and construction activities. Leaving one activity totally to the
opponent can upset the game balance.
While playing Puerto Rico tactical playing is also important. Tactical
game techniques include blocking another person’s trading, stripping
goods early on in the game, crafting limited numbers of goods and so on.
Players of Puerto Rico need to analyze the game continuously and choose
actions that will allow them to earn and keep building at a steady pace.
A game of Puerto Rico may end in a few different ways. A game can end if
there are no more colonists available; it can end if no more victory
points can be gained; and, if a player succeeds in building on all the
twelve spots in his city. When a game ends, players’ scores are brought
out and the winner is decided by the maximum score.
Expansions of Puerto Rico with new buildings have been released by the
publishers.
Review of Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is set in the Caribbean dominance era and so it uses the
social standings of that era. In today’s context, the concept of slaves
and slave owners is considered racist. In fact, in Puerto Rico the
pieces used for depicting slaves are dark colored.
The saving grace for Puerto Rico is that such pieces are used for
running the cities also. So, critics should take an all encompassing
view of the game instead of restricting their observations to one
particular part.
A game of Puerto Rico requires players to take decisions based on
several factors. It exercises decision making skills. The need for
striking a fine balance between different activities also provides
beneficial exercise for players’ minds. |
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