Pax Porfiriana 2nd Collector's Edition
Pax Porfiriana is a terrific card game of the Mexican revolution that contains an awful lot of history. The players are ‘Hacendados’ (tycoons) in northern Mexico, looking to build up their own economic, military and political empire across the region.
This is done by acquiring cards – there’s a neat mechanism for the market – and playing cards. Some cards represent enterprises, significant people or military forces and stay in front of players, generating income for them. Other cards are events or incidents that are used when played (though some may linger for a while).
The aim is to overthrow – or succeed – the Mexican dictator, Porfirio Diaz. As the game starts, there is peace – the Pax of the title. This continues until someone plays a card that introduces martial law, say, or provokes the Americans into intervening.
Pax Porfiriana is definitely a game in which you need to establish your position and build on it – though you also need to make sure no-one else is in a position to force a win. It keeps you on your toes all the way through. It is also packed full of historical incident and fact and worth playing just for the experience.
The Collector's Edition takes a game that would barely fit into its original box and gives it more luxurious surroundings. As well as the cards and counters, this version includes a mounted board and adds pieces for a sixth player as well as rules for solitaire play.
For 1-6 players, aged 12+, playing time 2 hours: £45.00 (£37.50 outside the UK)
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