Trismegistus: The Ultimate Formula by Board&Dice
Price: ~$45.00
Players: 1 to 4
Playtime: 90 to 120 minutes
Perfect for: Groups that enjoy complex fantasy-themed resource collection and engine-building games.
Trismegistus: The Ultimate Formula is a game of elements, potions, and experiments. Players assume the roles of apothecaries, collecting raw materials and transmuting them into better, more powerful (and valuable) goods. The inspiration for the game comes from Hermes Trismegistus—the person attributed to the creation of Hermeticism, which has magic and alchemy as some of its central tenets.
To begin Trismegistus: The Ultimate Formula, one to four players choose their scientist, a few starting materials, a player board, two experiments to work on, and a secret objective. These resources are asymmetrical, so players will take different avenues to fulfilling their goals which primarily revolve around collecting victory points by completing experiments and advancing knowledge over the course of three distinct rounds. The player with the most victory points at the end is proclaimed the chief alchemist and winner of the game.
A round begins with the rolling of a large pool of dice. The results will represent the raw materials available to players on their turn. If the individual has no dice yet on their personal board, they draft one and its potency (the number of actions they’ll be able to take using it) corresponds to the total number available. For example, when a person chooses one of the four copper die from the main board, they’ll be able to leverage it for four uses. However, the next player to choose a copper will only get three uses from it. Strategizing which dice to select is essential to Trismegistus as the color, material, and number of uses will determine the options available to the player on subsequent turns.
RELATED – Tabletop Game Review: Euphoria
Assuming a budding alchemist has already chosen their raw material (dice), they can thus expend it in various ways. Options include transmuting or transforming their element into something more valuable; selecting new experiments to complete which require a combination of resources; and acquiring various essences which allow for transmutations, among other actions. These choices, however, directly correlate to the leveraged dice—a white tin die can be used to transmute along the white tracks found a player board; collect tin lead; select experiments associated with lead on the main board; or acquire the sulfur essence.
What works in Trismegistus: The Ultimate Formula is the complexity, specificity, and level of detail associated with the alchemist theme. While the above description gives a basic overview of gameplay, there is a multitude of other factors and elements that can affect strategy. For example, after Player A takes their primary action, other players can spend reaction tokens to also use Player A’s dice in ways that would be beneficial. The interplay here means individuals must be thoughtful about their own systematic actions, but also be keeping a watchful eye on others’ activities. Players must concoct multi-staged plans like a tabletop version of a Rube Goldberg machine, and when the sequence of events unfolds just as intended, the result is immensely satisfying.
RELATED – Tabletop Game Review – Wonder Woman: Challenge of the Amazons
Players who prefer games that don’t require analyzing a wide matrix of options to make optimal decisions are less likely to enjoy Trismegistus: The Ultimate Formula than others. There are those that will relish the multitude of variables that influence outcome paths, but it might seem overwhelming to some players, especially those less familiar with drafting and engine-building mechanics. Analysis paralysis is a real possibility with this game. And the nomenclature and vernacular may only make things murkier for some—while science-oriented individuals may delight in the language Trismegistus employs to create the “feel” of ancient metallurgy, its foreign nature could further intimidate and confuse others.
Trismegistus: The Ultimate Formula is great for players seeking something dense and immersive, and also enjoy the theme of experimentation within the natural elements. The interaction level is set in just right place where players must concentrate hard on their own strategy while also considering the activities of their peers. While perhaps a bit too complicated for new gamers, a particular sect of individuals will truly enjoy this.
Recommended if you like: Newton, Euphoria
Final Grade: A
LRM Online contributor and active Army soldier Kyle Malone needs your help. CLICK HERE to lend a hand to the cause!
—–
Have you checked out LRM Online’s official podcast feed yet The LRM Online Podcast Network? This includes our flagship podcast Los Fanboys, our premiere podcast Breaking Geek Radio: The Podcast, GeekScholars Movie News, and our morning show LRMornings. Check it out by listening below. It’s also available on all your favorite podcast apps!
Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Google Play
FOR FANBOYS, BY FANBOYS
Have you checked out LRM Online’s official podcasts and videos on The Genreverse Podcast Network? Available on YouTube and all your favorite podcast apps, This multimedia empire includes The Daily CoG, Breaking Geek Radio: The Podcast, GeekScholars Movie News, Anime-Versal Review Podcast, and our Star Wars dedicated podcast The Cantina. Check it out by listening on all your favorite podcast apps, or watching on YouTube!
Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Google Play
