LA BOCA

OBJECTIVE OF LA BOCA: The objective of La Boca is to finish puzzles faster than the other players and accumulate the most points. 

NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 3 to 6 Players 

MATERIALS: 1 Game Board, 11 Building Blocks, 100 Point Chips, 64 Task Cards, 20 Small Partner Chips, 6 Large Player Tiles, 1 Electronic Timer, and Instructions 

TYPE OF GAME: Pattern Building Board Game 

AUDIENCE: Ages 8 and Up 

OVERVIEW OF LA BOCA 

Players race against the clock attempting to create skylines that mirror the famous town of La Boca. The players will work as teams, but they are unable to have the same vision. One player is able to see the completed photo, while their teammate has the building blocks needed to create the perfect image. The players must cooperate carefully, yet as quickly as possible, to ensure that they win the most points possible. 

SETUP 

Each player will choose a color to begin setup for the game. They will then collect eh large player tile that matches the color that they chose along with the small partnership chips that match. Each player gives two of their chips to each of the other players. The partner chips that each player receives are placed face down beside their player tile.  

The game board is placed into the box insert and oriented in the middle of the playing area, within reach of all players. The point chips are placed in their assigned spaces on the board. The timer is placed in its assigned space as well. The light blue and dark blue task cards are divided, shuffled, and placed into two different stacks.  

The building blocks are placed on the opposite side as the task cards. The game is then ready to begin. 

GAMEPLAY 

The players are able to play a practice round if they wish, in order for them to get oriented with the game. Once they have familiarized themselves with the game, they are able to begin actual gameplay. During each round, the players will switch partners, allowing each player to work with each other twice. The timer is used to keep up with times of completion.  

The players will decide which cards they would like to use before they begin a round. The light blue cards are easier to complete than the dark blue cards. The oldest player will begin the game by revealing a partner chip, establishing who their teammate is for this round. The players should make sure that they orient themselves across from their partner so that they are better able to work with one another. 

The player who reveals the small chip will place the task card in the slot and begin the timer. When the player yells “go!” the teams will begin attempting to complete their challenge. The task card shows the players how the components have to look after construction is complete. It has to match exactly with the image found on the card, and there are no exceptions to this rule. Both sides of the card will show a different view.  

While building, players are able to consult each other, but they are not allowed to see the other side of the card. The building blocks are not able to move outside of the buildings space, and no gaps are allowed underneath placed blocks. When the players indicate that they have completed their construction, the structure is checked, and the player who started the clock will stop it.  

As long as the build is accurate, the players will win points for their build time. The players will receive the same number of point chips, as they both worked on it together. The game will continue until all of the partner chips have been revealed.  

END OF GAME 

The game comes to an end when the players have played two rounds with each of the other players as their partner. At that point, the players will tally their points. The player who has the most points is declared the winner! 

The number of points that a player earns is dependent on how long it took them to finish the puzzle. The players earn more points for the less time it takes them. 

Ellie Phillips
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