Kemet Blood and Sand

Do games age just like we do?

Kemet is back in a fresh new form. The game’s visuals have undergone a slight facelift, and there are a few mechanical tweaks. However, that’s not what I’ll be focusing on in this review. Instead, we’ll see if this old-timer still has what it takes and whether it’s worth getting excited about. I’ll also tell you a bit about the game itself.

Kemet Blood and Sand is an area control game in which the Gods will battle for influence in ancient Egypt. Most importantly, there won’t be any weird merges, endless repetition of the same actions, or random events. What will matter here are aggressive maneuvers and the ability to predict what our rivals will do. Amid these constant battles, we’ll recruit new troops and even add powerful, mythical beasts to our ranks. To win their favor, we’ll build pyramids, which will also allow us to enhance our gods’ powers.

To win this divine war, we’ll have to sacrifice our followers and win the battles we’ve initiated. Whoever earns 9 victory points and maintains that lead will become the new ruler of the Nile region.

For me, the biggest strength of Kemet is how it builds asymmetry as the game progresses. Each of us starts without any powers, and only as we play will we acquire new abilities. These will increase the strength of our armies, modify basic actions, and even grant us new ones. These initial upgrades provide a small bonus to our stats. However, the more powerful abilities can change the rules of the game and significantly impact the situation on the board.

Another highlight of Kemet is the mythical beasts that can aid us in battle. Each one strengthens the units it is attached to and also grants them a special ability. I think the beast I hate the most is that snake, which nullifies the bonuses of other creatures. For me, they really spice up our encounters and introduce an interesting asymmetry to our battles.

Since we’re on the subject of combat, it’s worth noting that Kemet isn’t a game for players who like to bunker down and stay in one spot. Here, it’s all about pure combat. That’s mainly how we earn victory points. The constant aggressive action is also driven by the fact that there’s nowhere to hide. Our troops are highly mobile, and the ability to teleport further aids us in this. I enjoy games with high mobility, and Kemet delivers exactly that.

Another aspect I appreciate is the combat itself. In battle, we’ll play a card that determines our strength, defense, and the damage we’ll deal. We play the card face down, so we don’t know what our opponent might do. Knowing we’re going to lose anyway, it’s worth playing a card that deals as much damage as possible. This will make it easier for us to regain lost territory later. Additionally, we can play divine intervention cards during combat that can change everything. The best part is that we don’t even have to tell our opponent about it. This allows us to bluff and psychologically influence their plans. I like these mind games in area control games.

As you can see, combat is simple, but it still requires us to manage our cards efficiently and choose the right moment to attack. This is because played battle cards won’t return to us until we’ve used up all the cards in our hand. That’s why you have to choose the right moment to attack.

The rules themselves are very simple, and that’s another strength of this game. It literally takes just a few minutes to explain the entire game. One thing you don’t need to explain to other players is that you mainly target the leader especially when they’re close to scoring the final points. That’s why you have to be prepared for attacks that can come from any direction. What’s cool is that the players themselves balance out the game’s outcome. At least there’s no “runaway leader” syndrome here, where we can’t catch up.

Number of Players and Game Duration

I wrote about this recently, but I was shocked to find that Kemet works really well with just two players. It turns into a duel where we’re constantly fighting to hold key positions. The game mechanics remain the same. We just play on a slightly smaller board. The method of shrinking the map could be a bit more convenient, but covering the other side of the edge with the divine power trays is enough to solve the problem.

Of course, the more players, the more interesting it is, but that’s just how area control games are. Then attacks can come from any direction. Because of this, you feel more pressure when you leave only a few units on a given area. No one is safe.

As for the game duration, it depends largely on the players. Because we dictate the pace of the game. Those who like to fight more often will speed up the end of the game, and we should then be able to finish within those 2 hours. However, as I said, it all depends on who we’re playing with.

Quality and Components

In terms of components, it’s pretty good. There’s an insert. The monster figures look menacing. The god tiles are thick, and the dice pyramids have been replaced with plastic ones. The game’s artwork has also been refreshed. However, I still have some issues with the board’s appearance. Everything looks ancient, and I don’t like those irregular borders.

Summary

I remember it like it was yesterday. The first time I played Kemet, I had a blast. We were constantly fighting each other, and I was chuckling at the pyramids, which reminded me that I need to play RPGs more often. Today, Blood and Sand made me realize that it’s worth refreshing classics every now and then and giving them a facelift. Just look at the fantastic Legendary Edition of Cyclades, for example.

For me, Kemet will always be a laid-back, tactical area control game where combat is what matters. Battles are lightning-fast and full of strategic decisions, all thanks to the phenomenal combat card system. We decide whether the priority is winning the battle or inflicting as much damage as possible on the opponent.

In my opinion, it’s a real treat for players who prefer an aggressive playstyle and aren’t afraid to spill a little blood on the board.

Though for me, the biggest advantage of this game is acquiring asymmetric powers and recruiting various mythical beasts. Thanks to this, every player will command a unique army

Final verdict: Even as we grow older, Kemet isn’t going to be buried in the sand any time soon!

Pros

• Building asymmetry
• Mythical beasts
• Constant combat
• Card battle with tons of options to choose from
• Simple rules
• Insert
• Works great with two players

Cons

• Irregular borders
• Ancient map

[Game provided by Galakta]