Whale Riders (2021) Board Game

Whale Riders is a board game released in 2021 by Grail Games. Designed by renowned game designer Reiner Knizia, this game incorporates elements of contracts, hand management, and market mechanics. The stunning artwork by Vincent Dutrait brings the theme of riding whales to life, making it an engaging and visually appealing experience for players.

Game Components of Whale Riders

137 tiles (including 92 resources like meat, kelp, pottery, seashells, crystals, and pearls)

24 snow storm tiles

7 starting pearl tiles with purple backgrounds

8 extra tiles for The Magic of the Whales variant

6 extra tiles for The Clan’s Decree variant

52 contract cards

67 coins (55 x 1 gold coin, 12 x 5 gold coins)

6 whale riders with plastic stands

1 game board featuring the Ice Coast with eight ports

1 goods bag.

How To Setup Whale Riders

To set up the game, lay out the board in the middle of the table, displaying the Ice Coast and its eight ports. Each player selects a whale rider and places it on or below the Sun Port. The seven starting pearl tiles are placed face up in the starting settlement. Players are ready to begin their journey along the Ice Coast.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Hand Management: Managing resources and contract cards.

Contracts: Fulfilling contract cards to earn pearls and coins.

Market: Buying and selling resources at different ports.

Game Objective

Players sail along the Ice Coast, buying and selling resources to fulfill contract cards.

The goal is to collect as many pearls as possible by buying tiles and fulfilling contracts.

Each player has two actions per turn: advance their whale rider, buy a tile, take a gold coin, or discard contracts.

The game ends when all seven starting pearl tiles have been bought, and the player with the most pearls wins. In case of a tie, the player with the most money left over wins, or if still tied, the player with the most tiles left over wins.

Player Experience

In Whale Riders, players embark on a thrilling journey along the Ice Coast, navigating through busy ports and making strategic decisions to buy, sell, and collect resources. The game is designed for 2-6 players and lasts about 30-45 minutes. With simple and short rules, it offers a lot of interaction and interesting decisions, making it suitable for both families and strategic players. The classic feel combined with modern mechanics ensures an engaging experience for all players.

Pros

Engaging Gameplay: Offers a mix of strategy and family-friendly fun.

Quick Setup and Playtime: Easy to set up and plays within 30-45 minutes.

High Replayability: Various strategies and random tile placements ensure different experiences each time.

Simple yet Deep Mechanics: Easy to learn but challenging to master.

Cons

Limited Complexity for Advanced Players: Some players might find the mechanics too simple.

Luck of the Draw: Random tile and contract card draws can affect gameplay significantly.

Personal Thoughts on Whale Riders

Whale Riders is perfect for families and casual gamers looking for a fun, strategic game that doesn’t overwhelm with complexity. It’s also a great introduction for new players to the world of board games due to its straightforward rules and engaging gameplay. However, advanced players might find it a bit too light on strategy and complexity. Overall, it’s an excellent addition to any board game collection, offering a delightful blend of exploration, trading, and strategic decision-making.

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