Caravan (2019) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Caravan is a board game released in 2019 that takes players on a journey through the Arabian desert. Designed by Martin Hoffmann and published by Rio Grande Games, this game offers a unique blend of pick-up and deliver mechanics with a touch of “Take That” strategy.

Game Components of Caravan

Game board depicting the Western Africa desert on a 7×7 grid

8 desert cities, each desiring a specific commodity

8 goods cubes, each representing a unique commodity (4 rare and 4 common)

5-6 camels per player, depending on the game mode

Player boards

Theft markers

Demand markers

Goods bag

How To Setup Caravan

To set up Caravan, place the board in the center of the table. Draw one good from the bag and place it on each of the eight collection spaces on the board. Place demand markers on the four corner spaces. Each player receives a player board, a thief marker, and five (or six for an easy game) camels in their color. Choose a start player, and the game begins.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Network Building: Players construct caravans of camels to pick up and deliver goods.

Pick-Up and Deliver: Collect goods from the board and deliver them to corresponding cities.

Action Points: Players take increasing actions per turn (1, 2, 3, then 4 actions per turn).

Camel Placement: Place camels on empty or occupied spaces (with a cost of 2 actions for occupied spaces).

Goods Movement: Move goods along a line of orthogonally connected camels.

Stealing: Steal goods from other players using a thief marker.

Refill Mechanism: When only four goods remain on the board, the game pauses to add demand markers and refill the goods spaces.

Game Objective: Deliver goods to their corresponding cities and collect demand markers to score points.

Player Experience

Caravan offers a dynamic and tactical gameplay experience. Players must optimize their camel placement and goods movement to deliver goods efficiently. The game becomes increasingly interactive with more players, especially in three- and four-player games, where stealing and blocking become more prevalent. The two-player game is more relaxed, allowing for easier engine-building and fewer conflicts. The game requires strategic planning and adaptability, as the availability of goods and demand markers changes throughout the game.

Pros

Engaging Mechanics: Combines engine-building and pick-up-and-deliver mechanics effectively.

Dynamic Gameplay: Different player counts offer unique experiences, from relaxed to highly interactive.

Strategic Depth: Simple rules with deep strategic implications.

Family and Strategic Players: Suitable for both families and strategic gamers.

Cons

Art and Graphics: Some players may find the art and graphics to be drab.

Take-That Mechanic: Stealing can be a point of contention for some players, though it can be minimized or maximized based on player preference.

Personal Thoughts on Caravan

Caravan is a game that excels at balancing simplicity and depth. It is ideal for players who enjoy strategic puzzles and tactical gameplay. While it may not be the best fit as a gateway game due to its complexity, it is easy to teach and offers a lot to think about during gameplay. Caravan is a great addition to any game collection, particularly for those who appreciate network-building and pick-up-and-deliver mechanics.

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.