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Desert Island (2015) Board Game

Desert Island is a card game designed by Jeff Siadek and published by Gorilla Games in in 2015. The game is designed for 4-6 players and has a runtime of approximately 60 minutes. It falls under the categories of Card Game and Negotiation, with gameplay mechanics that involve role-playing and variable player powers.

Game Components of Desert Island

  • Player boards
  • Fate cards
  • Resource tokens
  • Action cards
  • Island tiles
  • Various item cards (e.g., food, shelter)
  • Combat tokens

    How To Setup Desert Island

    Setting up Desert Island involves each player choosing a player board and receiving a set of starting resources and action cards. The island tiles are arranged randomly to create the game environment. Each player also receives a fate card deck which will influence the events that occur during the game.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Game Objective:** Survive on the desert island by managing resources, completing tasks, and overcoming challenges.
  • Gameplay Mechanics:**
    – Action Point Allowance System: Players take actions within a limited number of points.
    – Hand Management: Players manage their action cards and resource tokens.
    – Variable Player Powers: Fate cards introduce variable events and targets that players must adapt to.
    – Combat: Players may engage in combat with wild animals or other players.

    Player Experience

    Desert Island offers a flexible and dynamic gameplay experience, suitable for various player counts. The game is relatively quick, lasting about an hour. Players must balance resource management, action planning, and responding to the unpredictable events triggered by the fate cards.

    Pros

  • Flexible Player Count:** Easily adaptable to different numbers of players.
  • Dynamic Gameplay:** Fate cards introduce unpredictability and challenge.
  • Easy Setup:** Quick and straightforward setup process.
  • Combination of Mechanics:** Blends euro game strategies with ameritrash combat.

    Cons

  • Luck Factor:** Fate cards can introduce significant randomness, which may not appeal to all players.
  • Complexity:** While setup is easy, the game mechanics may require some time to understand fully.

    Personal Thoughts on Desert Island

    Desert Island is ideal for players who enjoy a mix of strategy and unpredictability. It’s a great choice for those who like euro games but also appreciate the occasional burst of ameritrash combat. The game’s flexibility in player count and relatively short playtime make it a versatile addition to any board game collection. However, players who prefer games with less randomness might find the fate card mechanic frustrating at times.

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