Sobek
- Designer Bruno Cathala
- Publisher GameWorks SàRL
- Illustration Mathieu Beaulieu
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Start for freeWhat to Expect
Players compete in a bustling marketplace during the construction of the Sobek temple. In fast-paced rounds, you collect goods cards, play characters with special powers, and form sets to score points. Beware of corruption tokens that can reduce your income. The game combines hand management, Dutch auction, and memory elements requiring strategic planning to outscore opponents.
Who Is This Game For?
Sobek is suitable for families and casual gamers aged 8 and up who enjoy moderately complex card games. With a playtime of about 40 minutes, it offers quick, engaging gameplay without long downtime. Prior experience with set collection or memory mechanics is helpful but not mandatory.
How It Works
On your turn, you choose to take goods cards via Dutch auction, play character cards with special abilities, or display sets of matching goods cards. You manage your hand carefully (hand management), remember cards played (memory), and draft openly from available cards (open drafting). The game ends after three rounds or when a player reaches 100 points, with corruption tokens reducing your final score.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Bruno Cathala, known for Cyclades, Sobek was awarded Fairplay À la carte Runner-up in 2011 and nominated for the Tric Trac award. It uniquely blends Dutch auction, memory, and set collection mechanics within an Ancient Egypt theme and is part of the 'Ancient: Egypt' family of games.
Awards
2011
- 2011 Fairplay À la carte Runner-up — Nominated
Pro
- Combination of Dutch auction, hand management, and memory
- Short playtime around 40 minutes
- Family-friendly for ages 8 and up
- Awarded Fairplay À la carte Runner-up 2011
Contra
- No solo mode available
- Requires some patience for memory and tactical play
- Limited to 2 to 4 players
Setting & Atmosphäre
The game is set in Ancient Egypt during the construction of the Sobek temple. Players trade goods in a thriving market, reflecting ancient trade and building activities.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Focus on tracking cards played and plan moves carefully to manage corruption tokens effectively.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
No, Sobek supports 2 to 4 players and does not include a solo mode.
How long does a game really take?
A game takes about 40 minutes, making it a quick card game for casual sessions.
What prior experience do I need?
Basic card game knowledge and some familiarity with set collection and memory mechanics help but are not required.
How does this compare to similar games?
Sobek uniquely combines Dutch auction with memory and hand management in an Ancient Egypt theme, setting it apart from typical set collection games.
Is this suitable for families?
Yes, it is suitable for players aged 8 and up and has moderate complexity appropriate for families.
What mechanic makes it special?
The blend of Dutch auction, hand management, and memory mechanics defines Sobek's gameplay.
Fazit
Sobek is a quick and tactical card game for 2 to 4 players, ideal for families and casual gamers who enjoy a mix of hand management and memory. It offers balanced gameplay with strategic depth in a compact format.
