Faiyum

The Faiyum is an artificially - built oasis - like basin. 3,900 years ago, people enlarged the Bahr Yussef channel connected to the Nile to create a regulated flood plain. In the Middle Kingdom of Egypt, pharaohs like Amenemhet III and Sesostris II transformed this swampland into farmland. They had advisors build canals and dikes to reclaim desert - surrounded and crocodile - inhabited land, making it Egypt's granary. Now, as the pharaoh's advisor during Amenemhet III's reign, you're tasked to harvest goods, build roads, and found settlements for Faiyum. You'll get manpower, resources, and money. All buildings are owned by the pharaoh, and other advisors can use them. Your goal is to gain the pharaoh's respect. Faiyum is a strategic game for planning game lovers. Play cards one by one on your discard stack. After playing, take them back in reverse order, so card - playing order matters. Newly bought cards go directly to your hand, so timing is crucial too. Each card has simple actions, and creating the best 'engine' makes you a master advisor. This game combines a deck - building card mechanism with the market mechanism from Power Grid. Gain valuable cards and use game - board structures for your reputation. The advisor with the best card combinations wins Faiyum.

How to play: In Faiyum, you play as the pharaoh's advisor. Start by playing your cards one by one on your personal discard stack. After playing some or all of them, take the cards back into your hand in the reverse order you played them. Newly purchased cards go directly into your hand. Try to play your cards in the best order and time your purchases well. Each card has an easy - to - understand action, and you need to create the best combined 'engine' to succeed. Things to note: Remember that all the roads, farms, and other buildings you build are owned by the pharaoh, so other advisors can use them. Your main goal is to gain the pharaoh's respect. Maintenance advice: Keep your cards in good condition. You can use a card protector to prevent them from getting damaged. Also, store the game in a dry place to avoid any moisture - related issues.