Caveman is a board game released in 2007 by JKLM Games and MAG (Make-A-Game) Ltd. The game is set in prehistoric times and involves players taking on the role of cavemen trying to survive and thrive in a harsh environment.
Game Components of Caveman
The Board: A four-panel board depicting a volcanic island with a hexagonal patterning of circles and spaces for technological advances.Cardboard Bits: 22 resource tiles, 17 colored pieces for each player (4 cavemen, 4 cavewomen, 4 cavekids, and 5 technological development pieces).Cards: A deck of 60 square cards with colored areas for movement and events.Rulebook: Six pages of rules in German and English, printed full-color on glossy paper.
How To Setup Caveman
To set up the game, each player chooses a color and takes the corresponding cavemen and developments. They claim their beach space on the board. Fifteen resource tiles are randomly placed on the board, and three dinosaurs are placed near the center. The card deck is shuffled and placed in the middle of the board.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Card Draw: Players draw a card, which allows caveman movement and possibly dinosaur movement or an event.Tribe Movement: Players move their cavepeople based on the card draw, with stacking limits and rules for moving cavekids.Dinosaur Movement: Cards may allow players to move a dinosaur, which must stop when encountering a caveman.Fights: Combat involves rolling dice; cavepeople roll green dice, and dinosaurs roll red dice. The side with more hits wins.Development: Players can gain technologies by having cavepeople on the required resource spaces.Objective: Win by having all 8 caveadults on the board or all 5 technologies, or by having the most caveadults and technologies when the card deck runs out.
Player Experience
Playing **Caveman** involves a mix of strategic planning and dice rolling, making it both unpredictable and engaging. The game requires players to balance resource collection, technology development, and combat, all while navigating the challenges posed by the dinosaurs and other players.
Pros
Engaging Mechanics: The combination of area movement, resource management, and combat keeps the game exciting.Strategic Depth: Players need to plan carefully to achieve their objectives.Random Events: The cards introduce unpredictability, adding a layer of challenge.
Cons
Incomplete Rulebook: The original rulebook was criticized for being incomplete and lacking clarity.Icons and Graphics: Some players find the lack of icons on the cards makes special events harder to parse.Luck Factor: The game’s reliance on dice rolling can lead to unpredictable outcomes.
Personal Thoughts on Caveman
**Caveman** is ideal for players who enjoy competitive games with a mix of strategy and luck. It’s suitable for those who like managing resources and technologies while navigating the challenges of a hostile environment. However, due to its complexity and the need for careful planning, it may not be the best fit for casual or new board game players.
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