Kashgar: Merchants of the Silk Road
- Designer Gerhard Hecht
- Publisher KOSMOS , Grail Games
- Illustration Franz Vohwinkel
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Start for freeWhat to Expect
Players control three caravans transporting spices along the Silk Road from Asia to Europe. Each turn, you perform one action from a visible caravan member card, influencing your stock of spices, gold, and mules. The game uses an open deck-building system where cards cycle through your caravans, enabling strategic combinations. The gameplay is fast-paced with minimal downtime, encouraging experimenting with different caravan setups and delivery contracts.
Who Is This Game For?
Kashgar is designed for enthusiasts seeking a compact strategic economic game. With a duration around 45 minutes, it fits well into game nights but requires some familiarity with action cards. It supports 2 to 4 players aged 12 and up and has no solo mode.
How It Works
Each player manages three caravans composed of member cards providing actions (Action Queue). On your turn, you execute one visible member's action, such as resource management or fulfilling contracts (Contracts). After use, the card moves to the back, creating an open deck-building system. Your goal is to reach 25 points by collecting character cards and completing delivery requests (Race).
What Makes It Special
Designed by Gerhard Hecht, Kashgar uniquely combines Action Queue with open deck-building in an economic Silk Road setting. It was a 2014 Fairplay À la carte Runner-up. The game is quick to play yet offers strategic depth through diverse caravan actions, standing out in the merchant-themed family.
Awards
- 2014 Fairplay À la carte Runner-up — Nominated
Pro
- Compact playtime of about 45 minutes
- Combination of Action Queue and open deck-building
- Strategic depth with low downtime
- Thematically fitting Silk Road setting
Contra
- No solo play option
- Requires learning various action cards
- Suitable only for ages 12 and up
Setting & Atmosphäre
Set along the historic Silk Road, the game focuses on Kashgar in western China, a major trade hub. Players act as merchants transporting spices between Asia and Europe.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Focus first on understanding the different caravan member actions before exploring complex strategies.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
Kashgar is designed for 2 to 4 players and does not include a solo mode.
How long does a game really take?
A typical game lasts about 45 minutes, making it a compact choice for game nights.
What prior experience do I need?
This is a medium-weight game requiring familiarity with deck-building and action mechanics.
How does this compare to similar games?
Kashgar stands out by combining Action Queue with open deck-building for fast yet strategic play.
Is this suitable for families?
With its complexity and recommended age of 12+, it is less suitable for families with younger children.
What mechanic makes it special?
The integration of Action Queue with deck-building creates dynamic caravan management.
Fazit
Kashgar suits players looking for a short but strategically rich economic game. Its brief playtime makes it ideal for quick rounds, though understanding the action mechanics is important.
