Adventure Games: The Volcanic Island (2019) Board Game

Adventure Games: The Volcanic Island is a cooperative board game released in 2019 by KOSMOS. Designed by Matthew Dunstan, Chihiro Mori, and Phil Walker-Harding, this game immerses players in an exciting narrative-driven experience set on a mysterious island filled with challenges and puzzles.

Game Components of Adventure Games: The Volcanic Island

Cards: Adventure cards, location cards, and a 90-page storybook.

Board: Composed of location cards that make up the island.

Tokens and Standees: Cardboard standees, tokens, and standee holders.

App: Optional use of the Kosmos Helper App for voice-over and guidance.

Rulebook: A small, easy-to-follow rulebook.

How To Setup Adventure Games: The Volcanic Island

To set up the game, players first create the island by arranging the location cards. Each player chooses a character and places their standee on the starting location. The adventure deck is shuffled, and the storybook is prepared. Players can optionally use the Kosmos Helper App to enhance the experience with voice-overs and directions.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative Play: Players work together to explore the island.

Exploration: Players explore locations on the island by reading corresponding paragraphs in the storybook or using the app.

Item Combination: Players combine adventure cards (items) with each other or with location cards to progress the story.

Decision Making: Players make small choices to move the game forward, such as deciding which direction to go or how to use items.

Story Progression: The story unfolds based on player actions, with multiple paths and endings.

Note Taking: Players are encouraged to keep notes of their progress and items found.

Player Experience

In **Adventure Games: The Volcanic Island**, players take on the roles of students investigating strange events on a remote volcanic island. The game is divided into four chapters, each lasting about 75 minutes. Players explore the island, combine items, and interact with the environment to uncover the mystery. The game feels reminiscent of “choose-your-own-adventure” books, with a strong focus on storytelling and exploration.

Pros

Exploration and Discovery: Players unlock new locations and secrets.

Branching Storylines: Multiple paths and endings ensure replayability.

Puzzle Solving: Puzzles are engaging but not overly difficult.

Thematic Story: The story is engaging and thematic, making players curious about the outcome.

Family Friendly: Suitable for families with younger players, despite the recommended age of 12+.

Cons

No Real Failure: Health is more about points than actual failure.

Non-Interactive Combat: Combat mechanics are lacking.

Anti-Climactic Endings: Some players find the final battle less exciting due to the lack of combat mechanics.

Personal Thoughts on Adventure Games: The Volcanic Island

**Adventure Games: The Volcanic Island** is ideal for those who enjoy cooperative games, storytelling, and exploration. It’s a great fit for families or groups looking for a game that offers a mix of puzzle-solving and adventure, similar to escape room experiences or point-and-click video games. While it may lack strategic depth, it excels in providing an immersive and interactive storytelling experience.

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