Antartik (2012) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Antartik is a card game designed by David Boniffacy and released in in 2012. The game is centered around animals in Antarctica and involves players collecting cards to create patterns and score points. With a runtime of 15 minutes, it is suitable for players aged 5 and above.

Game Components of Antarctica

Game Board: Representing Antarctica divided into eight areas.

Ships: Each player has ships that move around the board.

Scientists: Used for area control and research.

Building Cards: For constructing buildings in various areas.

Research Tracks: For advancing in different research categories.

Icebreaker Cards: Allow additional ship movements.

Resource Cubes: For tracking available and discarded resources.

How To Setup Antarctica

During setup, each player places their ships on the board in a specific order based on the number of players. The board is also seeded with starting buildings that players can activate during their turns. The sun mechanism is initialized to start the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Sun Mechanism: The sun moves counterclockwise around the board, activating the ship closest to it. The activated ship must be moved to a new area and placed in the first unoccupied ship space.

Actions:

Advance on a Research Track: Move cubes on the research tracks based on the number of ships and scientists in the target area.

Build a Building: Construct buildings in the target area if the requirements are met.

Resource Management: Move resources from available to discarded and vice versa.

End Game Conditions: The game ends when a player places their last scientist on the board or builds the last building.

Scoring: Points are awarded in four categories: Area Control, Research Track Scoring, Building Card Scoring, and Discarded Resources. The player with the most points wins.

Player Experience

The game is known for its strategic depth and unique sun mechanism, which governs turn order. Players must balance the need to move ships to new areas with the benefits of building up resources and scientists in specific areas. The game requires careful planning and timing, as moving ships can significantly impact future turns. The scoring system is complex, with players needing to manage multiple categories to win, and sometimes choosing not to compete in certain areas to avoid driving up opponents’ scores.

Pros

Unique Sun Mechanism: Adds a dynamic and thematic element to turn order.

Strategic Depth: Players must make careful decisions about ship movement and resource allocation.

Interactive Scoring: Scoring system encourages strategic play and counter-strategies.

Well-designed Components: The game’s components are of high quality and visually appealing.

Cons

Complexity: The game has a steep learning curve due to its intricate mechanics.

Lengthy Setup: Setting up the game can be time-consuming.

Dependence on Group Dynamics: The game’s full potential is realized with the right group of players.

Personal Thoughts on Antarctica

**Antarctica** is ideal for fans of mid-weight eurogames who appreciate complex strategies and resource management. It is not for casual gamers due to its intricate mechanics and lengthy setup. The game shines with experienced players who can fully engage with its strategic depth and unique thematic elements. If you enjoy games that require careful planning and offer a high level of interaction, **Antarctica** is definitely worth trying.

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