Maztec is live (Jigsaw is the new polyomino)
Update: Maztec is live on Kickstarter (a bit earlier than planned), and the campaign will run for 19 days. The pledge gets you a copy of the game. In the solo mode, you play against the temple.
Our preview post below was published on April 29.
Maztec is a 1-4 player tile laying game in which you are trying to place puzzle pieces together to form a temple. It will launch on Kickstarter on May 1.
In Maztec, you play as an archaeologist who has to restore the ruins of a mysterious temple that causes earthquakes. The game lasts 28 rounds, and a set of numbered jigsaw pieces works as a timer. You first put together the entrance of the temple, and, at the beginning of each round, place one of the numbered pieces face up to construct the walls: this will reveal a new symbol and signal the passage of time. Temple stones are shaped like jigsaw pieces too, showing either a green or a red gem surrounded by ancient symbols. During set up, you reveal two gem pieces face up.
On your turn, you may either take one gem tile, or exchange the two available gem tiles with two others, then select one. The chosen tile may be placed in the temple or matched with a piece that you already have, or kept aside for future use (or matched with an opponent's tile in the multiplayer mode). In order to form a combination, both front and back sides of the pieces have to match. Ideally, all gem pieces have to be placed before the end of the 28th round. Details regarding the solo mode have not been made known yet.