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Dream Runners (2020) Board Game

ByMichail

Dream Runners is a board game released in 2020 by Ankama, designed by Joan Dufour and featuring artwork by Jade Mosch. It falls into the fantasy genre and is a real-time game that is suitable for players aged 8 and up. The game involves grid coverage pattern building, set collection, square grid, and tile placement mechanics.

Game Components of Dream Runners

  • Player boards**
  • Starting tiles** (one tile of each shape with stars in the corresponding player color)
  • Dream Cards** (numbered stacks)
  • Tiles** (for building segment arrangements)
  • Scoring tokens**
  • Coin tokens**
  • Key tokens**
  • Chest tokens**
  • Star fragment tokens**
  • Serenity Point tokens**
  • Sand timer**

    How To Setup Dream Runners

    To set up Dream Runners, start by arranging the Dream Cards: take two cards from each numbered stack and stack them in order (1s on top of 2s, and so on). Each player receives a player board and the starting tiles. Shuffle the remaining tiles and place them on the main board. Players position their scoring tokens on the starting space of the Serenity Track and the bottommost space of the Star Track on their player boards.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Real-time tile placement: Players build a 3×3 grid or larger using tiles, aiming to match rewards on the Dream Cards.
  • Phased rounds: Each round consists of four phases – Create Dream, Resolve Rewards, Make Improvements, and Prepare for Next Round.
  • Reward collection: Players collect rewards such as star fragments, keys, Serenity Points, and coins based on their tile arrangements.
  • Coin and Serenity Point management: Players can spend coins to buy new tiles or gain Serenity Points.
  • End-game scoring: The game ends after eight rounds, with players scoring points from their Star Track placement, Serenity Track placement, and Dream Points on tiles. The player with the most points wins.

    Player Experience

    In Dream Runners, players immerse themselves in a dynamic and fast-paced environment where they must quickly arrange tiles to maximize rewards while managing resources. The game demands strategic thinking and timely decision-making, as players balance short-term gains against long-term goals. The real-time action and variable tile placements keep each game engaging and unpredictable.

    Pros

  • Engaging real-time gameplay**
  • High replayability** due to variable tile arrangements and Dream Cards
  • Balanced strategy** between short-term gains and long-term goals
  • Family-friendly** with a recommended age of 8+

    Cons

  • Complexity in balancing resources** can be challenging for new players
  • Potential for analysis paralysis** during the Create Dream phase
  • Limited player count** (2-4 players)

    Personal Thoughts on Dream Runners

    Dream Runners is an excellent choice for families and casual gamers looking for a game that combines strategic depth with fast-paced action. The game’s real-time mechanics and the need to balance short-term and long-term strategies make it appealing to those who enjoy puzzles and resource management. However, it may not be the best fit for very young children due to its complexity, or for larger groups seeking a more extensive multiplayer experience.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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