Embark (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Embark is a board game released in 2018 by designer Robert Gonzales and published by Tasty Minstrel Games. It is a strategy game that falls under the categories of area majority, influence, simultaneous action selection, and worker placement. The game is designed for 2-5 players, with a recommended age of 14 and up. With a runtime of 30-60 minutes, Embark is best played with 4 players.

Game Components of Embark

Player Boards and Screens: Each player receives a board and screen for secret allocations.

Voyager Cubes: 30 cubes per player, colored differently for each.

Talent Cards: Special abilities for each player.

Island Cards: Double-sided cards representing different islands, each with exploration, farming, and mining areas.

Ship Cards: With berths for miners, colonists, explorers, captains, and warriors.

Victory Point Tokens: For scoring.

How To Setup Embark

To set up Embark, each player selects a starting talent card, which provides a unique ability. Players receive their player boards and screens along with 30 voyager cubes. The island cards are laid out next to each other, each having two docks labeled with letters that match the player boards. The ship cards are prepared and placed within reach of all players.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Hidden Allocation: Players secretly allocate their voyagers to different ships.

Ship Berths: Ships have specific berths for miners, colonists, explorers, captains, and warriors.

Resource Collection: Miners collect ore, explorers earn points, and colonists farm.

Warriors: Can replace other players’ voyagers on the islands.

End Game Scoring: Points are awarded based on collected ore, exploration progress, and the number of colonists on the islands.

Objective: The player with the most victory points at the end of the game wins.

Player Experience

Embark offers a engaging and strategic gameplay experience. The hidden allocation mechanic adds a layer of suspense and planning, as players must balance the risk of overallocating voyagers to ensure their ships sail while avoiding unnecessary competition. The game is easy to learn but requires strategic thinking to manage resources and outmaneuver opponents.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it accessible to new players.

High Replayability: Double-sided island cards and varied talent abilities ensure different experiences each game.

Strategic Depth: Requires careful planning and resource management.

Interactive: Players constantly interact through ship allocation and warrior placement.

Cons

Luck of the Draw: Talent cards and island placements can introduce elements of luck.

Potential for Analysis Paralysis: Deciding voyager allocations can be time-consuming.

Limited Direct Conflict: Some players may find the indirect competition less engaging.

Personal Thoughts on Embark

Embark is ideal for players who enjoy strategic planning and indirect competition. It suits groups of 2-5 players and is particularly appealing to those who like games with a balance of luck and strategy. The game’s mechanics make it a great choice for fans of worker placement and area control games, offering a unique twist with the hidden allocation system. However, it may not be the best fit for players seeking direct conflict or very short gameplay sessions.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.