Project L

2020

Engage in Project L, an intriguing tile-matching brain burner. Build your engine, solve 3D puzzles, outsmart your opponents, and leave a lasting impression!

40
minutes

1 - 4
player(s)

Medium Light

About the game

Welcome to the vibrant and strategic world of Project L, a unique board game that masterfully blends puzzle-solving and engine-building into an unforgettable tabletop experience.

In Project L, you step into the shoes of an architect with a vision. Your mission? To construct the most intricate and impressive structures using multi-shaped blocks, all the while managing your resources and outsmarting your opponents.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

Project L is a game that combines engine-building and puzzle-solving into one unique gaming experience. The game includes a variety of components, each playing a unique role in the gameplay. Here’s a detailed list:

1. Game Box: This is the container for all the game components. It’s essential for storage and transport, ensuring that all the pieces are kept together and in good condition.

2. Game Board: This is the main play area where players will place their pieces. The board is divided into various sections for different actions such as the Task Pool and the Piece Bank.

3. Puzzle Pieces (L-tiles): These are the main pieces that players will use to fill their puzzles. They come in different shapes and sizes, each corresponding to a different ‘L’ shape.

4. Puzzle Cards: These are the tasks that players must complete using their L-tiles. Each card is a different puzzle, with different requirements and rewards.

5. Player Mats: Each player receives a mat, which serves as their personal play area. Players will place their L-tiles on these mats to complete their Puzzle Cards.

6. Engine Tokens: These are used to track a player’s engine-building progress. Players earn these tokens as they complete puzzles, and they can be used to gain various benefits.

7. Player Tokens: These tokens represent each player on the game board. They are placed on the scoring track and move forward as players earn points.

8. Bonus Tokens: These are earned for completing certain actions or achieving certain milestones within the game. They provide additional benefits or points to the players.

Each of these components interacts with the others to create a dynamic and engaging gameplay experience. The ultimate goal is to use your L-tiles to complete puzzle cards, earn engine tokens, and gain the most points on the scoring track. The game ends when the Puzzle Card deck runs out, and the player with the most points is declared the winner.

Game setup Lay it out, line it up, let’s go

Project L is a fast-paced, tile-matching, engine-building game with beautiful acrylic pieces and player boards. The following guide will help you understand how to set up the game:

Step 1: Player Roles

Each player in Project L will take on the role of a project manager. Your goal is to complete as many puzzles as possible by placing polyominoes onto your player board. The player who ends up with the most points, calculated from completed puzzles and remaining pieces, will be declared the winner.

Step 2: Board Placement

Place the main game board in the center of the playing area. Each player should sit around the board and take a player board. Make sure all players can easily reach the game board as they will need to interact with it throughout the game.

Step 3: Initial Resources

Each player starts the game with one basic (1-block) piece and one level 1 puzzle. Place these on your player board. You will use these initial resources to start completing puzzles and earning points.

Step 4: Puzzle Placement and Pieces

Puzzle Placement: Draw six puzzles from the puzzle bag and place them face-up on the six spaces on the game board. These represent the puzzles available for players to take during the game.
Pieces: Sort all the polyominoes by size (1-block, 2-block, 3-block, and 4-block) and place them next to the game board within easy reach of all players. These are the pieces players will use to complete puzzles.

Step 5: Random Elements

The random elements of Project L come into play when drawing new puzzles from the puzzle bag. You never know which puzzles will be available during the game, adding a layer of unpredictability and variety to each play.

With the game board set, puzzles and pieces in place, and each player equipped with their initial resources, you’re now ready to dive into the world of Project L. Happy gaming!

Game flow Round and round we go

The game of ‘Project L’ is a fast-paced, tile-matching, engine-building game with stunning visuals and satisfying tactile gameplay. The game is structured into rounds, with each player taking turns to perform various actions. Here is a detailed explanation:

Game Setup:

At the beginning of the game, each player receives a player board, one level 1 piece (the smallest size), and one white basic action token. The game board is set up in the center of the play area with various pieces and tiles available for players to acquire throughout the game.

Game Rounds:

‘Project L’ doesn’t have a set number of rounds, but the game continues until the round when the last piece in the supply has been taken. Each player then takes one final turn before the game ends.

Player Turns and Actions:

On each turn, a player can perform actions based on the number of action tokens they have. Each player starts with one action but can acquire more by completing puzzle tiles or using certain pieces.

There are four possible actions a player can perform:

Take a Puzzle: The player can take a new puzzle tile from the game board. This tile is placed in one of the three slots on their player board.
Take Pieces: The player can take one or two pieces from the supply. These pieces can be of any size.
Place or Swap a Piece: The player can place a new piece on a puzzle tile or swap an existing piece for a bigger one. If the puzzle is completed by this action, the player takes back all the pieces and puts the tile in their completed area.
Master Action: The player can use a master action to place pieces on their puzzles according to the master action’s level. This action can be performed multiple times in one turn.

Players continue taking turns, performing actions, and building their engine. The game encourages strategic decision-making in tile and piece selection, and the placement of pieces on the puzzles.

Game End and Scoring:

When the round in which the last piece in the supply has been taken ends, each player gets one final turn. After that, the game ends and points are scored. Players earn points for each completed puzzle, with the value of each puzzle indicated on its tile. Players also earn bonus points for any unused action tokens and for the largest size of piece they’ve used on a completed puzzle.

The player with the highest total score wins the game. In case of a tie, the player who completed the most puzzles wins.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

The board game ‘Project L’ is a strategic, puzzle-based game where players construct and complete puzzles to earn points. Each turn in ‘Project L’ consists of taking three actions, which can be any combination of the following:

1. Taking a New Puzzle: The player can take a new puzzle from the face-up display. The puzzle piece comes with one basic piece.

2. Upgrading a Piece: The player can upgrade a piece from their supply. This action allows the player to trade one piece for a piece of a higher level.

3. Placing a Piece: The player can place a piece from their supply onto an unfinished puzzle. If the puzzle is completed, the player scores points and the puzzle is returned to the box.

4. Getting New Pieces: The player can take new pieces. This action allows the player to take up to three level-1 pieces or one level-2 piece.

Strategic choices in ‘Project L’ involve balancing the need to complete puzzles quickly for points, with the need to upgrade pieces for future turns. The timing of these decisions can significantly influence the outcome of the game.

Quick Completion: Completing puzzles quickly can provide immediate points, but may leave the player with low-level pieces that limit future actions.
Upgrading Pieces: Upgrading pieces can provide more flexibility in future turns, allowing for the completion of more complex puzzles. However, this approach may delay point scoring in the short term.
Puzzle Selection: The choice of puzzle also plays a significant role in the strategy. Larger puzzles take more time and resources to complete but yield more points. Smaller puzzles are quicker to complete but provide fewer points.
Piece Management: Finally, effective piece management is crucial. Players must ensure they have the right pieces at the right time to complete their puzzles.

In conclusion, ‘Project L’ is a game of strategic decision-making. Players must carefully balance immediate rewards with future opportunities to maximize their points and win the game.

End of the game All good games must come to an end

Project L is a game that is played until a certain condition is met. This condition determines when the game ends and who emerges as the victor. Here’s how and when a game of ‘Project L’ ends:

The game of Project L ends when any player starts their turn and there are no more pieces in the piece supply. This implies that the game can come to a conclusion at the beginning of any player’s turn if there are no more pieces left in the general supply.

Once this condition is met, all players, including the one whose turn it is, get one final turn. This is the ‘last round’. The game ends after the last round is completed.

Now, let’s delve into the victory conditions and actions players must take before final scoring:

Victory Conditions:

The player with the most points at the end of the game is declared as the winner. The points are accumulated from completed puzzles, Master Actions and Project cards.

Completed Puzzles: Each completed puzzle awards points to the player. The number of points depends on the complexity of the puzzle. The more complex the puzzle, the more points a player can earn.
Master Actions: Players also earn points by performing “Master Actions”. These are special actions that allow players to complete puzzles more efficiently. Each Master Action performed awards the player with a point.
Project Cards: Players are also awarded points for completed Project cards. These cards provide additional points based on specific conditions, such as completing a specified number of puzzles or having a certain number of pieces in your personal supply.

Before Final Scoring:

Before the final scores are calculated, there are a couple of actions that players must take:

Final Piece Placement: Players are allowed to place any remaining pieces in their supply onto their puzzles. This is done in a clockwise direction starting from the player who triggered the end of the game.
Return of Pieces: After placing their pieces, players must return any leftover pieces in their personal supply back to the general supply.

After these actions have been completed, the players can then proceed to calculate their final scores to determine the winner of the game.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

In the board game ‘Project L’, players earn points by completing puzzles. The scoring system is straightforward but requires strategic planning and efficient use of resources.

Scoring Points

The primary way to score points in ‘Project L’ is by completing puzzles. Each puzzle has a point value indicated on the puzzle piece. Players earn these points when they complete the puzzle by filling all its spaces with their pieces. Here’s how it works:

Completing Puzzles: The number on the upper right corner of the puzzle card indicates the points gained for completing that puzzle. Points range from 1 to 6 depending on the puzzle’s complexity.
Master Actions: Using a Master action to complete a puzzle grants an additional point. This is signified by the small ‘1’ on the Master action piece.
End of the Game: At the end of the game, players receive one point for every two pieces in their personal supply.

Tie-Breaking Rules

In the event of a tie, the following rules apply:

The player who has fewer total puzzle pieces in their supply wins.
If there is still a tie, the player who has the most complex puzzle card (highest numbered) in their completed pile wins.
If a tie persists, the victory is shared.

Remember, ‘Project L’ is a game of strategy and efficiency. While completing puzzles quickly can earn you points, don’t forget to plan ahead and use your Master actions wisely for those extra points!

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

The ‘Project L’ board game is an engaging and strategic game, but it does have some unique rules and exceptions which can significantly influence gameplay. Here are some of those special rules, exceptions, and clarifications:

Masterpiece Puzzle Exception:

In the base game, Masterpiece Puzzles are not included. However, if you’re playing with the Finesse expansion, these pieces add an extra layer of strategy. Keep in mind that Masterpiece Puzzles can’t be upgraded which is an exception to the general rule of upgrading puzzles.

Learning Puzzle Rule:

When starting the game, each player receives a Level 1 puzzle (also known as a Learning Puzzle). This puzzle is not part of the player’s hand but a separate entity. It’s crucial to remember that this Learning Puzzle doesn’t count towards the limit of puzzles a player can have in their hand, which is otherwise three puzzles.

End Game Scoring:

At the end of the game, players score points for the puzzles they’ve completed, the pieces they’ve collected, and the cards they’ve acquired. However, it’s important to note that any puzzles you have not completed by the end of the game will deduct points from your final score.

Special Actions:

Players can perform one of four actions on their turn: Take a puzzle, Place a piece, Upgrade a puzzle, or Master action. Each of these actions has a specific set of rules for execution:

Take a Puzzle: You can take a Puzzle from the pool. But, if you already have three puzzles in your hand (excluding the Learning Puzzle), you cannot take another one.
Place a Piece: You can place a piece on any of your puzzles. However, you cannot move a piece after it’s been placed, and you can’t place a piece on a puzzle that’s already complete.
Upgrade a Puzzle: You can upgrade a puzzle by returning it to the pool and taking one of the next level. But, remember that you cannot upgrade your Learning Puzzle or a Masterpiece Puzzle.
Master Action: This allows you to place one piece on each of your puzzles. This action can’t be performed if you don’t have a piece for every puzzle.

These important rules and exceptions will help you navigate the strategic landscape of ‘Project L’ and ensure a fair and exciting game!

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Project L is a fast-paced, tile-matching brain game with a two-fold strategy. Not only do you have to be efficient in filling your puzzles, but you also have to manage your pieces effectively. Here are some advanced strategies, beginner tips, common mistakes to avoid, and ways to optimize gameplay in ‘Project L’.

Advanced Strategies:

Plan Ahead: Always keep an eye on the puzzle market and plan your moves in advance. This will allow you to grab the most beneficial puzzles before your opponents do.
Focus on Mastering Pieces: Try to get the best pieces as soon as possible. The more complex pieces can fill up more space in puzzles, which can lead to more points.
Balance Speed and Efficiency: While it’s important to complete puzzles quickly, don’t rush so much that you end up wasting pieces or making inefficient moves.

Beginner Tips:

Start with simpler puzzles before moving onto the more complex ones. This will help you get a hang of the game mechanics.
Remember that you can upgrade your pieces. Use this feature wisely to maximize your scoring potential.
Don’t ignore the bonus tokens. They can provide a significant boost to your score, especially in close games.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Ignoring Piece Management: One common mistake is focusing too much on filling puzzles and ignoring piece management. Remember, the pieces you have in your pool can significantly affect your future moves.
Focusing on Single Puzzle: Don’t get stuck trying to complete a single puzzle. It’s better to work on multiple puzzles and complete them in turns.
Overlooking Bonus Tokens: Bonus tokens can be a game-changer. Ignoring them might cost you the game.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay:

Master the Upgrade Mechanic: Make the best use of the upgrade mechanic. Upgrading your pieces at the right time can give you an edge over your opponents.
Optimize Piece Usage: Strategize your piece usage. Try to use each piece in a way that leaves the least empty spaces.
Balance your Focus: Balance your focus between completing your current puzzles and planning for future ones. This will help you stay ahead in the game.