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Welcome to the world of clandestine dealings, secret alliances, and deception. Step into the smoky realm of "Mafia de Cuba," a party game that comes packed in a themed cigar box. Developed by Asmodee in 2015, this gripping party game puts players in the heart of Havana's underworld, where they take on the roles of Henchmen, thieves, and the cunning Godfather himself. Gather your friends, don your best fedora, and prepare for a thrilling journey of intrigue and suspicion in this unique social deduction game.
Game Set Up
Upon opening the cigar box, players are greeted with an assortment of high-quality components that instantly immerse them into the 1950s Cuban underworld. The game includes 15 ‘diamonds’, 10 character poker chips (5 gangsters, 2 FBI agents, 2 Drivers, 1 Cleaner), 1 felt bag, 1 game box (the cigar box itself), and 2 Joker Tokens shaped like little bottles of Tequila. The artwork on the box and poker chips is evocative of the era, adding to the game's ambiance.
The game set-up is straightforward, and within a few minutes, everyone will be ready to embark on their journey into the dark world of "Mafia de Cuba."
The Rise Of The Godfather
At the beginning of each round, one player takes on the role of the Godfather. Their task is to secretly place 10-15 of their precious diamonds inside the cigar box. This way, only the Godfather knows the true number of diamonds that were in the box. The Godfather will then hand the box to the player to their left, who will have the option to remove a character token of their choosing from the game and place it in the felt bag. And with that…the Dimond Theft is set.
Meeting The Family
Players assume the roles of Henchmen, The Drivers, Thieves, FBI agents, or Street Urchins; with each role having a unique ability.
The Henchmen remain loyal to the Godfather, and aim to help them retrieve all of their stolen diamonds from the thieves.
The Driver’s aim is to protect their passenger (the player to their immediate right), whether they are a thief, henchmen, FBI agent or even the Godfather themself. If their passenger wins, they win.
The FBI Agent’s job is simple, be accused by the Godfather of stealing diamonds. Your accusation is all the evidence you need to arrest the Godfather and win the game.
The Cleaner does not have such an easy task. They can only win if they are able to protect the Godfather by shooting the accused FBI agent (shouting POW!) before they reveal themselves, and apprehend the Godfather.
The Thieves win if they get away with stealing the diamonds, under the guise of being loyal Henchmen.
If a player receives the cigar box and it is empty, or if they are the last player to receive the box and choose not to take anything, they are a Street Urchin. As apprentice gangsters, the Street Urchins aim to help the Thieves win, by drawing the Godfather’s attention onto themselves and away from the Thieves.
Sounds simple, but no one is allowed to reveal their poker chip confirming their allegiance (or lack thereof!). Players can only state what they (allegedly) took from the box, and its (alleged!) contents when they received it. Anyone could be lying, which absolutely electrifies this game.
The Sitdown
Once the Godfather’s cigar box has been returned to them, they reveal the remaining contents. Tensions reach their peak as accusations fly around the table, and alliances crumble. Will the Thieves succeed in getting away with their loot, or will the FBI agents claim a victory for justice?
The Godfather begins their questioning; “What did you take?”, “What was in the box when you received it?”, and when they think they’ve found a thief, accusing with a stern “Empty your pockets!”.
To retain the atmospheric tension, and prevent the table falling into a cacophony of shouts “I’m loyal, boss!” “they’re a liar” etc., we employ a house rule where unless spoken to by the Godfather, you remain silent. This rule helps the Godfather to understand everything being said, and feels evocative of the code of conduct of a real sitdown.
Final Thoughts
Mafia de Cuba is an enthralling party game that keeps players on the edge of their seats. The game's mechanics encourage strategic thinking, social interaction, and plenty of laughter. The theme and components create an immersive experience that draws players into the clandestine world of Henchmen and FBI Agents.
The artwork in Mafia de Cuba is simply exceptional. The illustrations on the poker chips brilliantly capture the essence of the 1950s Cuban underworld. The attention to detail adds depth to the game's atmosphere and makes the experience even more engaging.
Mafia de Cuba strikes a good balance between simplicity and intrigue. The rules are easy to understand, making it accessible to both casual and seasoned board gamers. The game's strategy, however, lies in deception and deduction, making each round a captivating challenge.
The replayability is one of its strong suits. The ever-changing roles, the unpredictability of player actions, and the suspenseful nature of the game ensure that no two sessions are the same. You'll find yourself coming back for more as you refine your strategies and adapt to the dynamic gameplay.
Mafia de Cuba is an exceptional social deduction game that successfully combines immersive theme, strategic gameplay, and engaging player interaction. It stands tall as a must-have for any board game collection, especially for those seeking party games with bluffing and deception. Whether you're a veteran mobster or a rookie agent, the world of "Mafia de Cuba" awaits you in this enthralling cigar box experience.
