Sponsored.  Magical beings, half physical, half ethereal, have found our Magic Source around which we have built our little community and which we have always sought to keep safe.  Whoever best protects our small town will be promoted to the ranks of the inner circle of the Magic Guild… who will rise as the victor?

Welcome to Djinn—the newest release from the clever mind of Benjamin Schwer, designer of Crown of Emara, and published by Hall Games.

Djinn is an atmospheric Eurogame that requires both long-term strategy and tactical flexibility.  As hopeful apprentices of the Magic Guild, players are tasked with protecting the Magic Source by capturing the djinn before they cause any harm.  Players must weave together their long-term strategies by taking advantage of the unique benefits of the locations found throughout the city.

The game board displays a map of the city and meandering paths that connect thirteen action spaces, each associated with one of seven key locations—Dragon Goblet Tavern, Manufactory of Magical Items, Upper Market, Secret Catacombs, Academy of Magical Arts, Archives, and in the center, the Magic Source itself.  Over the course of the game, you will travel along the branching paths of the city and trigger the corresponding actions each time you arrive at a location.

Will you visit the Tavern to hire mages who will help you capture the djinn?  Perhaps an upgraded staff, cloak, or mage’s hat from the Manufactory will give you the edge you need to succeed?  The Market is abuzz with vendors hawking all manner of useful supplies, and everyone’s heard the tales that claim there remain valuable treasures to be found in the Catacombs… if you’re lucky enough to stumble upon and open the right chest.

Djinn is a beautiful production with a modular board, screen-printed wooden components, wonderful artwork, a unique theme, and tremendous variety in gameplay.  The locations are randomized each game, challenging players with new action routes to navigate, while managing resources and opportunities to upgrade basic actions at pivotal locations.  Advanced rules lead to even deeper exploration of the design: a pre-game draft for Character Tiles that establish asymmetric positive and negative player abilities, and end-game scoring cards that canny mages can focus on to maximize their final score.

Djinn (PNA55143E) is shipping to retailers and distributors in mid-November.  1-4 players, plays in 60 to 90 minutes, and recommended for ages 12 and up.  MSRP $69.99.

Check out the video below to learn how to play Djinn by watching the comprehensive tutorial and full play-through by Paul Grogan of Gaming Rules!

Click on Gallery below for full-sized images.