A photo of the board game "Cartographers: A Roll Player Tale" by Jordy Adan, sealed in plastic wrapping. The cover features an illustration of a bearded man with a pair of goggles on his head looking to the side and a red, fox-like creature holding a quill, both over a background depicting a fantasy landscape with mountains. The game is produced by Thunderworks Games and has a "Seal of Excellence" sticker from The Dice Tower.
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Cartographers (2019) Board Game Review

ByMichail

Cartographers is a roll-and-write board game where players draw maps to score points based on the Queen’s edicts. In this game, players take on the role of cartographers, tasked with creating the most efficient and effective maps to impress the Queen. The game requires a combination of creativity, strategic thinking, and attention to detail to emerge victorious.

What are the components of Cartographers?

The components of Cartographers include:

• 100 double-sided map sheets
• 13 Explore Cards
• 16 Scoring Cards
• 4 Ambush Cards
• 4 Season Cards
• 4 Edict Cards
• 4 pencils

These components work together to create a unique and engaging gameplay experience. The double-sided map sheets provide a fresh canvas for each game, while the Explore Cards and Scoring Cards introduce new challenges and objectives to strive for. The Ambush Cards add a competitive element, while the Season Cards and Edict Cards provide a sense of progression and direction.

How do you set up Cartographers?

To set up Cartographers, each player receives a blank map sheet and a pencil, and the Edict Cards are arranged in alphabetical order. This simple setup process allows players to quickly dive into the game and start creating their maps. The Edict Cards are placed face-up in the center of the playing area, providing a clear overview of the objectives for the current season.

What are the gameplay mechanics of Cartographers?

The gameplay mechanics of Cartographers include:

  1. Explore Phase: reveal the top card from the Explore Deck
  2. Draw Phase: players choose a shape and terrain type to draw on their map
  3. Check Phase: score points based on map configurations according to the revealed Scoring Cards

During the Explore Phase, players are presented with a new shape and terrain type to incorporate into their map. The Draw Phase allows players to get creative, rotating and flipping the shapes to fit their map design. Finally, the Check Phase provides an opportunity for players to score points and track their progress.

What are the strategic elements of Cartographers?

The strategic elements of Cartographers include:

• Player Interaction: Ambush Cards introduce competitive dynamics
• Long-term Planning: players must strategically place terrain types to maximize points
• Replayability: different combinations of Scoring Cards and terrain types enhance replay value

The Ambush Cards add a level of unpredictability to the game, as players must adapt to the challenges and obstacles introduced by their opponents. Long-term planning is essential, as players must think ahead to maximize their points and achieve their objectives. The game’s replayability is enhanced by the varied combinations of Scoring Cards and terrain types, ensuring a unique experience each time the game is played.

How does solo play work in Cartographers?

In solo play, Ambush mechanics and scoring rules are simplified to provide a more solitary experience. The solo mode allows players to focus on their own map design and strategy, without the competitive element introduced by other players. This mode is for players who want to practice their skills or simply enjoy a more relaxed gameplay experience.

What is the overall experience of playing Cartographers?

Cartographers combines creativity with strategic planning, making it enjoyable for both casual and experienced gamers. The game’s unique blend of map-drawing and point-scoring creates an engaging and immersive experience. With its simple setup and intuitive gameplay mechanics, Cartographers is an excellent addition to any board game collection.

Rating: 4.5/5

Cartographers is a unique and engaging roll-and-write board game that combines creativity with strategic planning. As a fan of map-drawing and puzzle-solving, I was excited to dive into this game and see what it had to offer.

Pros:

  • Creative Freedom: Cartographers offers a high level of creative freedom, allowing players to design their maps in a way that suits their style and strategy.
  • Strategic Depth: Despite its simple gameplay mechanics, Cartographers has a surprising amount of strategic depth, making it appealing to experienced gamers.
  • Replayability: The game’s varied combinations of Scoring Cards and terrain types ensure that each playthrough is unique and challenging.
  • Easy to Learn: The game’s rules are simple and easy to understand, making it accessible to new gamers.

Cons:

  • Limited Interaction: While the Ambush Cards introduce some competitive dynamics, the game can feel a bit solitary at times, with limited interaction between players.
  • Component Quality: While the game’s components are functional, they could be improved in terms of quality and durability.

Who is it for?

Cartographers is an excellent choice:

  • For fans of roll-and-write games and puzzle-solving
  • For gamers looking for a game that combines creativity with strategic planning
  • For those who enjoy solo play or casual gaming experiences
  • For anyone looking for a game that is easy to learn but has depth and replayability

Personal Thoughts:

I was pleasantly surprised by Cartographers. The game’s unique blend of map-drawing and point-scoring created an engaging and immersive experience. While the game may not be perfect, its pros far outweigh its cons. I appreciate the game’s creative freedom and strategic depth, and I’m excited to play it again and explore its many possibilities.

Overall, Cartographers is a great addition to any board game collection, and I highly recommend it to fans of roll-and-write games and puzzle-solving.

Game Components of Cartographers

  • Map Sheets: Double-sided, with 100 included, featuring different terrain layouts.
  • Explore Cards: Contain polyomino shapes and terrain types (Forest, Village, Farm, Water, and special types like monsters).
  • Scoring Cards: Randomly assigned to each season, defining the scoring criteria.
  • Season Cards: Mark the progression of the game through Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.
  • Ambush Cards: Introduce a competitive element by forcing players to pass their maps for opponents to draw on.
  • Pencils: Included for drawing on the map sheets, though the erasers can be of lower quality.

    How To Setup Cartographers

    Setting up Cartographers is quick and straightforward. Players start by choosing a side of the map sheet to play on, each with its unique layout. The Explore cards are shuffled and placed face down, with an Ambush card added to the deck. The Scoring cards are randomly selected and placed beneath the Season cards. Each player receives a map sheet and a pencil, and the game is ready to begin.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Flip-and-Write Mechanics: Players draw Explore cards and choose which polyomino shape and terrain to add to their map.
  • Polyomino Placement: Shapes can be flipped, turned, or reversed to fit into the map.
  • Scoring: Points are earned based on the placement of terrains according to the Scoring cards for each season.
  • Ambush Mechanic: When an Ambush card is drawn, players pass their maps to the left, and the next player draws on it, potentially adding negative points.
  • Objective: The player with the highest score at the end of the four seasons wins.

    Player Experience

    Cartographers offers a blend of spatial puzzle-solving and strategic planning. The game is mechanically simple but rich in depth, requiring players to make strategic decisions about where to place each terrain to maximize their score. The variable setup with random Scoring cards and Ambush cards adds significant replayability. The game is highly scalable, supporting up to 100 players without affecting gameplay or playtime.

    Pros

  • Short Setup and Playtime: Setup takes less than five minutes, and games typically last about 30 minutes.
  • Easy to Learn: Simple and intuitive rules make it accessible to new players.
  • High Replayability: Random Scoring cards and Ambush cards ensure each game is different.
  • Scalable: Supports a wide range of player counts without significant impact on gameplay.

    Cons

  • Generic Theme: The game’s theme is somewhat forgettable and not deeply integrated into the gameplay.
  • Eraser Quality: The included pencils have erasers that can be subpar.
  • Map Clarity: The map can become difficult to parse late in the game, especially without color.

    Personal Thoughts on Cartographers

    Cartographers is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a light yet engaging game that combines strategic planning with creative freedom. It is ideal as a warm-up or filler game and is suitable for both casual gamers and those looking for a bit of depth. The game’s portability and quick setup make it perfect for travel or playing in various settings. While it may not offer a compelling narrative, the gameplay and replayability more than make up for this, making it a great addition to any game collection.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl