Haven (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Haven is a 2-player board game designed by Ryan Laukat and released in 2018 by Red Raven Games. The game is set in a mystical forest where players take on the roles of the Forest and the City, competing to control the magical forest known as the Haven. With a runtime of 30-45 minutes, Haven is suitable for players aged 12 and above.

Game Components of Haven

Game board

Elemental Standees

Victory Point cards

Shrine Tokens (double-sided)

Haven Tokens (leaf for Forest, gear for City)

Seeker cards

Offering cards

Lore Power cards

Hidden Artifact cards (for advanced variants)

Lore tokens (Stone, Leaf, Water)

How To Setup Haven

To set up Haven, start by randomly placing the Elemental Standees on Shrine spaces on the board. Lay out the Victory Point cards on top of the board and set aside the Shrine Tokens and Haven Tokens. Each player chooses to be either the City or the Forest and receives the corresponding Seeker, Offering, and Lore Power cards. Shuffle the Seeker decks and place them face-down on their designated spaces. Shuffle the three sets of Lore tokens and place them vertically face-down between the players, flipping the top one face-up. Each player draws one Seeker card, and the Forest player also draws one Lore Power card. The City player goes first.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Area Control: Players compete to control shrines guarded by Elementals.

Lore Tokens: Players collect Lore tokens to summon elementals and gain victory points.

Combat Resolution: Players use Seeker cards to win combat and claim shrines. The player with the most swords on their Seekers wins the combat.

Haven Control: Controlling the majority of shrines surrounding a haven allows a player to claim that haven.

Lore Power Cards: Special cards that can alter the game state in favor of the player.

Hidden Artifacts: Advanced variant where players can obtain artifacts by deploying matching Seekers.

Objective: The player with the most points, earned from controlling havens, Lore tokens, and shrines, wins the game.

Player Experience

Haven offers a tense and engaging experience, with each game often coming down to the end. The game combines simple mechanisms with deeper strategic elements, making it thinky but not overwhelming. Players must balance competing for Lore tokens and controlling shrines, which adds a layer of complexity and replayability. The artwork is charming, and the gameplay is quick, typically lasting around 30-45 minutes.

Pros

Engaging Strategy: Combines area control and tug-of-war mechanics for a deep and thinky experience.

Quick Gameplay: Turns are quick and meaningful, making the game fast-paced.

Asymmetrical Play: Subtle differences between the Forest and City sides add variety.

Variants Included: Advanced variants like Hidden Artifacts and End-Game Confrontation add replay value.

Charming Artwork: The game features beautiful and thematic artwork.

Cons

Initial Learning Curve: Some rules are not immediately obvious, making the first playthrough slightly confusing.

Rulebook Issues: The manual can be a bit fiddly and takes time to get through.

Catch-Up Mechanics: Some mechanics can make the game feel artificially close, blunting the drama of big moves.

Personal Thoughts on Haven

Haven is perfect for fans of two-player games who enjoy a mix of strategy and area control. It’s ideal for those who appreciate games with a high replay value and engaging gameplay mechanics. While it may take a few plays to fully grasp the rules, the game’s charm and depth make it a hidden gem worth exploring. If you enjoy games like Battle Line or Schotten Totten but are looking for something with more complexity, Haven is an excellent choice.

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