Back in 1964, the world was abuzz with historic events. President Lyndon B. Johnson penned the Civil Rights Act into law, The Beatles took NYC by storm, and Tokyo hosted the Olympics. But for board game enthusiasts, it was the year Acquire took the table-gaming scene by storm. Fast forward more than 60 years, and Renegade Games has stepped up to breathe new life into this hotel-building classic. With a slick 60th Anniversary Edition coming in 2024 and its mass-market sibling released in 2023, these iterations uphold the strategic brilliance that’s kept Acquire a beloved staple for decades, earning it a spot on any must-play classic board game list.
In a game of Acquire, two to six players dive deep into the world of hotel management. The objective is straightforward: lay tiles, create chains of hotels, and snap up shares to outwit your competitors financially. At first glance, its premise might not seem as thrilling as some of its modern counterparts, but there’s a depth of strategy that hooks gamers, as evidenced by its spotlight at last year’s World Series of Board Gaming.
During a turn, each player draws a tile with a specific grid coordinate, placing it on the board where it belongs. If a tile placement results in a cluster of two or more, congratulations, you’ve just started a hotel and snagged a stock share. The challenge kicks in as hotels expand; their stocks shoot up in value, making them ripe for mergers and acquisitions. The game’s essence lies in savvy stock trading – buy cheap and sell dear.
With Renegade’s latest editions come exciting tweaks. Tycoon Mode is new, offering underdogs a better shot at victory. While Classic Mode rewards only the two top shareholders upon acquisition, Tycoon Mode graciously lets a third benefactor in. Although I personally lean toward the original style, I see the appeal of Tycoon Mode as a gentler introduction for newcomers.
The 60th Anniversary Edition also introduces special power cards that spice things up. From placing multiple tiles in one go to snagging free stocks, these cards pack a punch. However, their game-altering potential was a bit too much for my liking, so after one session, I opted back to the simpler play. Like Tycoon Mode, these cards are optional, inviting you to test if they fit your gameplay vibe.
Comparing the standard and the premium versions, a $50 splurge nets you several quality-of-life upgrades in the latter. The core gameplay – with the exception of the power cards – remains unchanged, yet the enhanced components make the 60th Anniversary bite the dust in style.
Three key enhancements stand out in the premium package: a drawstring bag for random tile draws, a tidy insert for organizing shares and miniatures, and poker chips replacing paper money. On the face of it, these upgrades might not seem groundbreaking, but they truly smooth the gaming flow. Especially the drawstring bag; ditch the fiddly manual setups and go straight to the good stuff. If you pick the basic edition, consider investing in a drawstring bag to replicate this seamless experience.
The anniversary edition houses a clever plastic organizer, distinctly separating share cards with a lid, making them easily accessible alongside their hotel miniatures. It’s a smarter setup than the base edition’s sprawling organizer, which occupies the entire box and more table real estate. Most players will appreciate having the cards neatly laid out on the table.
Lastly, the switch from paper money to poker chips is a purely aesthetic but highly satisfying adaptation. I’m not a paper fan and think its time is up in board gaming. The premium’s price hike reflects this upgrade, but it feels worthwhile. The chips are satisfyingly weighty, nestling neatly in their container while adding a tactile pleasure and that unbeatable clink of real currency.
Where to Buy:
- Acquire: 60th Anniversary Edition ($99.99 MSRP)
- Standard Edition ($49.99 MSRP)
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