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M.U.L.E.


90m - 120m

2 - 4 Players

Ages 14+
This mechanic requires you to place a bid, usually monetary, on items in an auction of goods in order to enhance your position in the game. These goods allow players future actions or improve a position. The auction consists of taking turns placing bids on a given item until one winner is established, allowing the winner to take control of the item being bid on. Usually there is a game rule that helps drop the price of the items being bid on if no players are interested in the item at its current price.
Auction/Bidding
In-game money is bet on different commodities in hope that that particular commodity will become the most valuable as the game progresses. Often the values of the commodities are continually changing throughout the game, and the players buy and sell the commodities to make money off of their investment.
Commodity Speculation
In games with a trading mechanic, the players can exchange game items between each other.
Trading
Variable Player Powers is a mechanic that grants different abilities and/or paths to victory to the players.
Variable Player Powers
This mechanism requires players to select individual actions from a set of actions available to all players. Players generally select actions one-at-a-time and in turn order. There is usually(*) a limit on the number of times a single action may be taken. Actions are commonly selected by the placement of game pieces or tokens on the selected actions. Each player usually has a limited number of pieces with which to participate in the process.
Worker Placement

44.00€

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Board Game Geek Reviews


  1. 6 out of 10

    The random and take-that elements of this economic game prevent it from reaching a rating of 7 or 8 for me; whilst there are variants which may mitigate this, I cannot invest the time required to discover which would improve it, as there are other games which do this better. Having said that, this game would be alright for less serious play; with family, for example, as an alternative to the ubiquitous roll-and-move game whose name should not be mentioned.

  2. 6 out of 10

    Lots of randomness. The only viable strategy is to go heavy on purple it seems. Game is short enough to tolerate the random factor. Rating based on tournament rules, roles and 6-8 rounds.

  3. 6 out of 10

    Rather long game that is subject to too much randomness. The theme is cool, the mechanics are great, and I love the self-adjusting market and power grid'esque battle to not be in first place, due to the catch up mechanicsms. Do away with the random production cards, the largest area of unnecessary randomness, and I think I this one could easily become a 7, but as is I'm rating it a 6.

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M.U.L.E. was first published as a computer game in 1983. Inspired by board games, it became a breakthrough, then a classic. Now this warm-hearted game of cut-throat capitalism is finally available as a board game!

In M.U.L.E. The Board Game, you are one of the pioneering and industrious species of a Galactic Federation. Together with your fellow colonists, you attempt to settle the distant Planet Irata with the so-called help of a mule-like machine you all learn to hate. But for now, he’s all you’ve got. Well, him and your fellow colonists. I wouldn’t count on their help, though — not unless there’s profit. Good luck. You’ll need it.

In M.U.L.E. (abbreviated from “Multiple Use Labor Element”), players claim plots of land and install mechanical robots (M.U.L.E.s) to work on them. M.U.L.E.s produce goods that colonists can use, sell for profit, or stockpile for (hopefully) even more profit:
– Smithore is a metal that cannot be used by players directly, but can be sold to The Store. The Store uses Smithore to manufacture M.U.L.E.s. Since players need M.U.L.E.s to produce their Goods, they must sell Smithore to increase their production.
– Crystite is a luxury mineral with a highly volatile price. It is not needed for anything on Planet Irata, but can be exported to other worlds for great profits (unless stolen by Pirates – you have been warned!)
– Food is needed by players to take Development Actions, such as Assaying Lands or Installing/Refitting M.U.L.E.s.
– Energy is needed to power M.U.L.E.s. You’ll know the value of Energy when you lack it.

There will be unexpected surpluses and shortages of different goods, causing market prices to fluctuate. Players must plan ahead while maintaining flexibility to change their plans as all kinds of ”fun” planetary disasters hit them. Interaction between colonists is highly opportunistic: they will gladly help you if there’s profit in it for them. Or maybe not. You’ll get to see the true colors of your friends by playing M.U.L.E. with them. The most cunning settler and trader receives fame, fortune, and the honorary title of First Founder! There is also an overall Colony Retirement score, describing how your colony succeeded (or failed) as a whole.

Ages

14+
Players

2 Players, 3 Players, 4 Players
Play Time

90m – 120m
Designer

Heikki Harju
Mechanics

Action Points, Auction/Bidding, Commodity Speculation, Trading, Variable Player Powers, Worker Placement
Theme

Economic, Video Game Theme, Exploration
Publisher

Lautapelit.fi
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