1960: The Making of the President: Box Cover Front
1960: The Making of the President - Spanish version Frontbox - Credit: mcfer
1960: The Making of the President - Lasy turn, I (Kennedy), feeling good. She (Nixon) went on to steal CA and NY for the win - DAMN! - Credit: Grildensnork
1960: The Making of the President - Our first play. The GMT edition. - Credit: Hipopotam
  1. 1960: The Making of the President: Box Cover Front
  2. 1960: The Making of the President - Spanish version Frontbox - Credit: mcfer
  3. 1960: The Making of the President - Lasy turn, I (Kennedy), feeling good. She (Nixon) went on to steal CA and NY for the win - DAMN! - Credit: Grildensnork
  4. 1960: The Making of the President - Our first play. The GMT edition. - Credit: Hipopotam

1960: The Making of the President Review

"1960: The Making of the President" offers a immersive gameplay experience set during the iconic 1960 election campaign. With strategic mechanics, historical accuracy, and stunning artwork, it is a must-play for both history buffs and board game enthusiasts.
  • Gameplay and mechanics
  • Historical accuracy
  • Components and artwork
4.3/5Overall Score

Quick Summary

"1960: The Making of the President" is an immersive and strategic board game that takes you back to the intense 1960 election campaign. With its well-designed gameplay mechanics, historical accuracy, and stunning components and artwork, this game offers a captivating experience for players. The strategic choices and tense competition create an engaging gameplay that truly captures the essence of a political campaign. Whether you're a history enthusiast or a board game lover, "1960: The Making of the President" is a must-try. Step into the shoes of presidential nominees and see if you have what it takes to secure the presidency.

Specs
  • Number of Players: 2
  • Playing Time: 90-120 minutes
  • Recommended Player Age: 14 and up
  • Game Designer: Christian Leonhard, Jason Matthews
  • Publisher: GMT Games
  • Game Category: Political, Historical
  • Game Mechanics: Card Drafting, Hand Management, Area Control
  • Game Complexity: Medium
  • Game Theme: Politics, History
Pros
  • Immersive gameplay
  • Historically accurate
  • High-quality components
  • Strategic decision-making
Cons
  • Long playing time
  • Complexity may overwhelm new players
  • Limited player count
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Overview

Welcome to my review of the board game “1960: The Making of the President“! In this review, I will evaluate the gameplay and mechanics, historical accuracy, as well as the components and artwork of the game. “1960: The Making of the President” is a strategic board game that takes you back to one of the most captivating historical election campaigns in American history. Now, let’s delve into the exciting elements of this game and see if it lives up to its historical reputation.

How It Plays

Setting up:

Setting up

Congrats! You’re about to embark on a captivating journey through time as you compete for the presidency in “1960: The Making of the President.” Before diving in, set up the game by placing the game board, distributing campaign markers and state control markers, and shuffling the action cards and event cards to create the draw pile.

Gameplay:

Gameplay

The game is played over a series of rounds. On each turn, you have various actions to choose from, such as campaigning in swing states, utilizing powerful event cards, or participating in televised debates. Each action affects your popularity, electoral votes, and campaign resources. Carefully strategize to outmaneuver your opponent and gain the upper hand throughout the election.

Winning the game:

Winning the game

The game ends after eight rounds, or as soon as a candidate reaches the necessary 269 electoral votes to secure the presidency. If neither player reaches this threshold, the nominee with the most popular vote at the end of the last round is declared the winner.

So gear up and get ready to experience the excitement and challenge of a political campaign with “1960: The Making of the President”!

Want to know more? Read our extensive strategy guide for 1960: The Making of the President.

Engaging Gameplay and Innovative Mechanics Take Center Stage in 1960: The Making of the President.

Intense Decision-Making

The gameplay of 1960: The Making of the President is a dynamic affair that keeps players constantly on their toes. Each player takes on the role of either John F. Kennedy or Richard Nixon, scrambling to secure the presidency. With highly strategic choices to be made at every turn, players must carefully navigate through the turbulent political landscape of the 1960s.

Strategic Card Play

One of the standout mechanics in the game is the strategic card play. Players must strategically manage their hand of cards to accrue influence in key states, recruit key figures, and conduct successful campaign tactics. Making the right choices and timing the plays effectively can significantly sway the outcome of the election.

Event Cards and Historical Significance

Adding to the excitement of gameplay are the event cards, which represent historical incidents that occurred during the presidential race. These cards not only introduce unforeseen challenges but also offer opportunities for players as they attempt to manipulate the outcome in their favor. The use of real-life events in the game provides a strong sense of historical authenticity and adds depth to the overall experience.

Head-to-Head and Solo Modes

1960: The Making of the President offers two distinct modes, allowing players to compete directly against each other or enjoy a challenging solo gaming experience. Each mode presents unique strategies and tactical considerations, providing players with varied gameplay experiences and ensuring lasting replay value.

Once you delve into the enthralling gameplay and mechanics of 1960: The Making of the President, it’s impossible not to be drawn into the historical narrative and the intense race for the presidency. With its strategic card play, historically significant event cards, and versatile gameplay modes, this board game sets the stage for an immersive gaming experience.

Historical Accuracy: Bringing the 1960 Election to Life

(Insert the captivating H3 headline here!) Intrigued to know how historically accurate the game is? Let’s dive into the next section to find out.

1960: The Making of the President - Spanish version Frontbox - Credit: mcfer

Gameplay and mechanics

Engaging gameplay with strategic decision-making

1960: The Making of the President offers an engaging and immersive gameplay experience with its strategic decision-making mechanics. From the moment you start playing, you are tasked with making important choices that will shape the outcome of the presidential election. The game incorporates various gameplay elements such as card drafting, worker placement, and area control, keeping players constantly engaged and invested in the outcome. Whether it’s planning campaign events, managing resources, or debating your opponent, every decision matters and can have a significant impact on your chances of victory.

Card drafting mechanic adds a twist to the gameplay

One standout feature in the gameplay of 1960: The Making of the President is the card drafting mechanic. Each player is dealt a hand of cards that represent historical events and political characters. These cards can be used to create positive effects for your campaign or to hinder your opponent’s progress. The strategic use of these cards adds a layer of complexity to the game, as players must carefully consider which cards to play and when, ensuring that each move is well thought out and calculated.

Balanced and intuitive rule set

The game is designed with a balanced and intuitive rule set, making it accessible to both newcomers and experienced gamers. The rulebook is comprehensive and well-explained, providing clear instructions for each phase of the game. The easy-to-understand mechanics allow players to focus on strategizing and enjoying the gameplay, rather than getting bogged down with complicated rules.

Engaging player interaction

1960: The Making of the President promotes interactive gameplay through player interaction. Whether it’s competing for control over swing states, launching propaganda campaigns, or responding to political events, players are constantly interacting and influencing each other’s plans. This high level of interaction adds a dynamic element to the game, ensuring that no two games are the same and keeping the gameplay fresh and exciting.

Now, let’s explore the next topic: Historical accuracy.

1960: The Making of the President - Lasy turn, I (Kennedy), feeling good. She (Nixon) went on to steal CA and NY for the win - DAMN! - Credit: Grildensnork

Components and artwork in 1960: The Making of the President are definitely eye-catching and add to the overall gameplay experience. The game board features a detailed map of the United States, with vibrant colors that help immerse players in the historical setting. The cards and tokens are of high quality and have a sleek design, making them easy to handle and manipulate during gameplay. The attention to detail in the components is commendable, from the informative event cards to the campaign markers that represent the movements of the political candidates.

Clear and Concise Iconography

One aspect that stands out in the components of 1960: The Making of the President is the clear and concise iconography used throughout the game. The symbols and symbols on the cards and board are intuitive and easy to understand, allowing for smooth gameplay without constant rulebook consultation. This is especially important considering the complexity of the game mechanics.

Historical Photographs

An interesting touch to the game is the use of historical photographs on the event cards. These images help to immerse players further in the historical context of the game and bring the political setting to life. Players can almost feel like they are part of the political campaigns of the 1960s as they strategize and make decisions based on these real-life photographs.

Artistic Style

The overall artistic style of the game is clean and visually appealing. The illustrations on the components and cards have a nostalgic feel, reminiscent of the political advertising of the 1960s. The combination of the well-designed components and the historical artwork enhances the thematic experience of the game.

In conclusion, the components and artwork in 1960: The Making of the President are top-notch and do justice to the historical theme of the game. The attention to detail, clear iconography, and use of historical photographs make the game visually appealing and immersive. With its high-quality components, this game is a must-have for history buffs and gamers alike.

1960: The Making of the President - Our first play. The GMT edition. - Credit: Hipopotam

Conclusion

After thoroughly examining the gameplay and mechanics, historical accuracy, as well as the components and artwork of “1960: The Making of the President,” it is safe to say that this game delivers an immersive and captivating experience. The strategic gameplay keeps you engaged and gives you a real sense of the political landscape during the 1960 election campaign. The historical accuracy adds depth and educational value to the game, allowing players to learn while having fun. Additionally, the high-quality components and detailed artwork enhance the overall aesthetic appeal. I highly recommend “1960: The Making of the President” for both history enthusiasts and board game lovers alike. This concludes my review.

4.3/5Overall Score
Jamie in his proper element: With all of his board games
Jamie Hopkins

With years of dice-rolling, card-flipping, and strategic planning under my belt, I've transformed my passion into expertise. I thrive on dissecting the mechanics and social dynamics of board games, sharing insights from countless game nights with friends. I dive deep into gameplay mechanics, while emphasizing the social joys of gaming. While I appreciate themes and visuals, it's the strategy and camaraderie that truly capture my heart.