Tranquility (2020) Board Game

Tranquility is a card game that was released in 2020 by Board Game Hub. It was designed by James Emmerson and features artwork by Tristam Rossin. The game falls under the categories of card game, nautical, and number games, and includes gameplay mechanics such as communication limits, cooperative play, hand management, solo/solitaire play, and tile placement.

Game Components of Tranquility

80 island cards numbered 1-80

25 border cards

5 start cards

5 finish cards

Discard pile

How To Setup Tranquility

To set up the game, players first place the border cards to form a 6×6 grid. The island cards, including the finish cards, are shuffled and divided equally among the players. Each player shuffles a start card into their deck and draws a starting hand of five cards.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative Play: Players work together to fill the 6×6 grid with island cards.

Sequential Placement: Cards must be placed in ascending numerical order from bottom-left to top-right.

Discard Mechanism: When a card is played, players must discard cards equal to the difference between the new card and the existing card.

Start and Finish Cards: A Start card must be played at the beginning, and a Finish card must be played to complete the grid.

Silent Communication: Players cannot communicate verbally; the only exception is when drawing the Start card.

Game Objective: Fill the entire grid and play a Finish card to win. The game is lost if any player cannot play or discard a card.

Player Experience

Players embark on a silent cooperative adventure, navigating the challenges of placing island cards in the correct order. The game requires strategic thinking and intuition, as players must rely on non-verbal cues to guide their decisions. The gameplay starts with a wide-open grid but becomes increasingly complex as cards are placed, creating a rhythmic and engaging experience.

Pros

Engaging Cooperative Experience: Encourages teamwork and silent communication.

Replayability: Variable card arrangements ensure no two games are alike.

Simple yet Challenging: Easy to learn but difficult to master.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players aged 8 and above.

Compact but Impactful: Despite its small box, the game has a significant table presence.

Cons

Limited Communication: Can be frustrating for players who prefer verbal communication.

Luck of the Draw: The game can be heavily influenced by the initial card distribution.

Shuffling Difficulty: The square cards can be cumbersome to shuffle.

Personal Thoughts on Tranquility

**Tranquility** is an excellent choice for families or groups with mixed levels of gaming experience. It offers a unique blend of strategy and cooperation, making it a great addition to any game collection. The silent communication aspect adds a fascinating layer of complexity, requiring players to think intuitively and work together seamlessly. While it may become repetitive after several plays, the included mini-expansions and variant rules help maintain the game’s freshness. If you’re looking for a game that challenges your cooperative skills and provides a serene, yet engaging experience, **Tranquility** is definitely worth considering.

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