7.8
rating
Ludopedia
6.9
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
Aurum is a sure bet for anyone who enjoys a good trick-taking game with a strategic and alchemical theme, perfect for livening up the table with friends.
Highlights
- Clever trick-taking mechanic
- Engaging alchemy theme
- Rewarding scoring system
- Fun team interaction
- Easy to learn rules
Keep in mind
- Best with 4 players
- Can have some luck
- Not for trick-taking haters
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Alright, transmutation enthusiasts! Get your notebooks ready, because in Aurum, you're alchemists on a quest for the perfect formula for the purest gold. After years of experiments and a successful transmutation, the challenge now is to refine this art. This is a trick-taking game for 3 or 4 players, with the option to play in teams of two when the table is full.
The dynamic goes like this: at the start of each round, after the cards are dealt, there's a bidding phase. You and your team (if applicable) will bid on how many tricks you think you'll win. In a team game, the higher bid from one of the partners becomes the team's official bid. During the round, you can lead a trick with any non-gold card. The golden rule is: if a suit has already been played, you must follow suit, unless you have a gold card in your hand – then the game changes! Gold is our supreme trump and always wins, regardless of the number. The highest-valued card played (that isn't gold) wins the trick, but the magic happens with the lowest non-gold card: whoever played it can take a gold card of the same number from the supply, if available, for their personal collection. Gold cards used in the trick return to the supply, keeping the game's economy fluid.
The round can end quickly if a player cannot play a valid base metal card and either doesn't have (or chooses not to play) a gold card. Scoring is a spectacle: if you win more tricks than you bid, you get the bid value in points. But if you hit it exactly, meaning you win precisely the number of tricks you promised, you double your points! And of course, your collected gold cards are also worth a fortune. The first player or team to collect two gold nuggets (earned by having the most points in the round) is the master alchemist and wins the game! Get ready to bluff, calculate, and perhaps transmute your luck into victory!
The dynamic goes like this: at the start of each round, after the cards are dealt, there's a bidding phase. You and your team (if applicable) will bid on how many tricks you think you'll win. In a team game, the higher bid from one of the partners becomes the team's official bid. During the round, you can lead a trick with any non-gold card. The golden rule is: if a suit has already been played, you must follow suit, unless you have a gold card in your hand – then the game changes! Gold is our supreme trump and always wins, regardless of the number. The highest-valued card played (that isn't gold) wins the trick, but the magic happens with the lowest non-gold card: whoever played it can take a gold card of the same number from the supply, if available, for their personal collection. Gold cards used in the trick return to the supply, keeping the game's economy fluid.
The round can end quickly if a player cannot play a valid base metal card and either doesn't have (or chooses not to play) a gold card. Scoring is a spectacle: if you win more tricks than you bid, you get the bid value in points. But if you hit it exactly, meaning you win precisely the number of tricks you promised, you double your points! And of course, your collected gold cards are also worth a fortune. The first player or team to collect two gold nuggets (earned by having the most points in the round) is the master alchemist and wins the game! Get ready to bluff, calculate, and perhaps transmute your luck into victory!
GALLERY
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In English
3
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4
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Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Pandasaurus Games, Broadway Toys LTD, Evrikus, Galápagos Jogos, Gigamic, Giochi Uniti, Strohmann Games
Designer
Shreesh Bhat
Artist
Stevo Torres
What is the average playtime for a game of Aurum?
A game of Aurum is relatively quick, lasting between 30 to 45 minutes. It's perfect for fitting between longer games or for several consecutive plays!
How many players can participate in Aurum?
Aurum is designed for 3 to 4 players. The 4-player experience is particularly interesting as it introduces the team mechanic.
Is Aurum a complex game? What is its weight level?
No, Aurum is considered a light to medium weight game (2/5 on BGG). The rules are quite accessible, but there's strategic depth in the bidding and card play decisions.
What are the main components of the game?
The game primarily consists of a deck of cards, which includes base metal cards and gold cards, as well as gold nugget tokens for scoring.
Who is Aurum best suited for?
Aurum is ideal for those who enjoy card games with trick-taking and bidding mechanics, offering a good balance of luck and strategy. It's great for families and groups of friends looking for a fun game with a unique theme.
Is there any language dependency in the game?
No, Aurum has minimal to no language dependency. The cards are primarily numerical and symbolic, making it accessible to players of different languages.