A Review of Nefertiti



... the party is starting, the stage has been set, has the Pharaoh’s request for a rare gift been met?...


Nefertiti is an Egyptian themed game that incorporates bidding, set collection, and just a hint of worker placement mechanics. As a member of the Egyptian nobility, you have been ordered by the Pharaoh to collect rare gifts for his wife in honor of her wedding anniversary celebration. So, you search the markets of Egypt, looking and bidding for the rarest and most precious gifts in order to outshine the other nobles.



Rio Grande offers players another game of high quality components and board. The game comes with four wooden figures for each player, decorative coins for currency, a deck of cards representing sets of gifts, cards representing characters (used to enact privileges), and red seals to activate those characters. The board is divided into four main areas, or markets, and in between it sports a beautiful illustration of the Nile and its delta. Each market contains 2 stalls. Within these stalls are bidding squares marked with numbers. The squares are arranged in different formations depending on the trigger for closing each market (more later). At any given time during the game, one of the two stalls in an open market will be covered by a large tile, and unavailable for play. One of the four markets will be closed entirely. This rotates throughout the game. The large tile covering one of the stalls in an open market also doubles as a bank for holding each market’s money reserve. It is important to note that the game runs in a closed system of money. Above each market is two rows which contain four places for gift cards. The top row holds only one card, but comes with a red seal if acquired. The bottom row holds three gift cards. By far, the prize component of the game is a large Egyptian Ankh. Warning: Players may be tempted to accessorize the game with a large gold chain for this nice piece of Bling, Bling.



In order to begin the game, a player starts with his/her set of 4 figures, a victory point marker, and a sum of money (depending on starting player order). Players take turns around the table placing their wooden figures on bidding squares in any of the open markets (not covered by the large tile). At the beginning of a player’s turn, they do have the option of spending one red seal to activate one character card (more later). The bidding wooden figures stay on the board until that market closes. Each market stall has an individual trigger mechanism that closes and begins the evaluation of that market and the bids contained therein. Each stall is unique. For example, one stall is closed when figures on the bidding squares line up in a tic/tac/toe formation. Other stalls close when certain dice rolls happen, or numbers add up, etc… When a market closes, the highest bidder (the player who placed a figure on the highest numbered bidding square) either must pay that cost or be shamed. To be shamed, is to lose a current card (gift) the player already owns. If the cost is paid, the player may either choose 2 of the gifts on the bottom row of the market, or may chose the top card at the top of the market with the red seal. When choosing which card to pick up, a player must look to get the most of one type, but also to make sure he/she is the only one collecting it. (Important – The money paid to the market goes onto the large tile that holds the markets money reserve.) Each card shows its profit in victory points based on how many you have and how many players in the game own one as well. An aquired card is placed face-up in front of the player. (All information is public) Now, here is where we get into a hint of worker placement mechanic. The other figures, in descending order of bidding, may either pay their bid cost to acquire one card still on the market or take half of the money in the markets reserve, rounded up. This is how you get income! Depending on where you place, a player could gain lots of money or great bargains on gifts. So, place carefully, and think strategically. After all figures have done either of those two options, the market is then closed, opening the previously closed one. The new one is seeded with cards if needed and a new red seal is place on the top row. (Any leftover cards from a previous close are slid to the left and up in the rows.)



How do you win? Most victory points are scored at the end of the game, but some can be scored using the character cards. The red seals that you acquire from the top card can be used to activate a privilege on one of these character cards in a subsequent turn. Once a character has been played, it is discarded from the game. I will not go into detail about each character, but know that they add some great twists and turns to the game. Some effect other players, some get you money, some get gifts, and some score victory points. A nice reference sheet is included with the game that explains each.
The game ends when a card is drawn (when reseeding a market) from the gift card deck depicting the pharaoh. It is randomly placed in the last five cards at the beginning of the game. Count your cards, then your points! That’s it!

So… wrapping up a players turn:
1. Play a red seal to activate and discard a character card
2. Place a wooden figure on a bidding square
3. If market closes, receive the Ankh (Bling, Bling), and evaluate the market

(Play proceeds to the left of the Ankh after market is evaluated)

This is a fun, quick light to medium board game with enough choices and options to not bore the mind. I would encourage anyone who enjoys a good bidding game to try this game out. Also, those of you who like the way worker placement games tingle your mind would be wise to give this one a try. At forty-five minutes, why not?