The Crusoe Crew (2019) Board Game

The Crusoe Crew is a cooperative board game designed by Shuky and published by Makaka Editions in in 2019. It is a children’s game that incorporates elements of comic books and storytelling, making it an engaging experience for young players. The game features roles with asymmetric information, where each player has a unique set of abilities and knowledge that they must use to work together to achieve a common goal.

Game Components of The Crusoe Crew

4 player books, each representing a different character with unique abilities

A map of the islands to explore

Instruction manual

Tracking sheet for days, loot, and items

Various tokens and items for gameplay

How To Setup The Crusoe Crew

To set up the game, each player selects a character book, and the group decides on the treasure they want to search for, which sets the difficulty level (pearls, rubies, or statues). Players then refer to the map to choose their starting island and turn to the corresponding panel in their books. The instruction manual, though somewhat sparse, provides the necessary guidelines to get started.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative Gameplay: Players work together, making decisions and solving puzzles as a team.

Choose Your Own Adventure: Players navigate through the story by selecting paths based on the numbers in the panels of their books.

Unique Abilities: Each character has special skills (e.g., strength, agility, animal communication) that provide different options and perspectives.

Puzzle Solving: Players encounter riddles, hidden numbers, and secret passages that require teamwork to resolve.

Time Mechanism: The game includes a “day” tracker, and players must manage their time effectively to maximize their treasure collection.

Objective: Collect the most loot by exploring islands, solving puzzles, and making strategic decisions.

Player Experience

The game provides a immersive “choose your own adventure” experience, where players feel like they are part of a graphic novel. The unique artwork and diverse character abilities make the game engaging, especially for families and younger players. However, some puzzles can be challenging, and younger players might need assistance. The game encourages teamwork and strategic thinking.

Pros

Unique Gaming Experience: Combines elements of graphic novels and puzzle-solving.

Great Artwork: Engaging visuals that draw players into the adventure.

Replayability: Offers decent replay value due to the various paths and puzzles.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for younger players and families looking for a cooperative game.

Cons

Puzzle Difficulty: Some puzzles can be confusing and challenging for younger players.

Instruction Clarity: The instructions could be more detailed and clearer.

Solo Play Limitations: The game is not as engaging when played solo compared to multiplayer.

Personal Thoughts on The Crusoe Crew

The Crusoe Crew is ideal for families and groups of friends who enjoy cooperative games and puzzle-solving. It’s a great way to get kids away from screens and engaged in a fun, interactive story. While it may have some minor flaws in instruction clarity and solo play experience, the game offers a unique and entertaining adventure that is worth exploring. It is particularly suited for younger players due to its 7+ age recommendation and the engaging nature of the game.

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