Antarctica (2021) Board Game

Antarctica is a cooperative adventure board game that was released in in 2021. Designed by Sara Florez and Juan Jimenez, this game is set in the icy continent of Antarctica and revolves around exploration, deduction, and puzzle-solving. With a playtime of 300-600 minutes, Antarctica is best suited for 1-2 players and is recommended for ages 14 and up.

Game Components of Antarctica

Game board featuring the Antarctic continent divided into eight wedge-shaped regions

Ships and scientists for each player

Three building card decks

Research tracks in the center of the board

Building and resource tokens

Sun token to dictate turn order

Icebreaker cards

Discarded resource box

How To Setup Antarctica

To set up the game, each player places their ships on the board according to the number of players. The board is randomly seeded with research buildings, and each player starts with two ships and two scientists. The sun is placed in the lower left region, and each player puts a marker at the start of the research tracks. The three building card decks are shuffled, and the top card of each deck is revealed.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Turn Order: Determined by the sun moving counterclockwise around the board, activating the ship closest to it.

Ship Movement: The activated ship must sail to another wedge and dock at the first available space.

Actions: Players can build a building, advance on a research track, do nothing, or other specific actions based on card play.

Resource Management: Players manage scientists, ships, and discarded resources.

Card Play: Players can play one card per turn to enhance their actions.

Game Objective

The objective is to control the most scientists in each area, build research stations, and conduct the best research to score points. The game ends when a player places their last scientist on the board or the last building is constructed. Points are awarded based on area control, research track advancements, and resource management.

Player Experience

Players experience a dynamic gameplay environment where strategic planning and resource management are crucial. The unique sun-driven turn order mechanic adds an element of unpredictability, as players must adapt to the changing availability of actions based on the sun’s position. The game requires balancing the placement of scientists, the construction of buildings, and the advancement on research tracks to maximize scoring opportunities.

Pros

Innovative Turn Order: The sun-driven mechanic adds a unique twist to traditional turn order systems.

Strategic Depth: Players must make careful decisions about resource allocation and area control.

Visual Appeal: The game components, including the board and cards, are well-designed and visually appealing.

Engaging Gameplay: The combination of area control and resource management makes for an engaging and challenging experience.

Cons

Cluttered Board: As the game progresses, the board can become cluttered with buildings, tokens, and scientists, making it difficult to see what is where.

Complex Scoring: The scoring system, while innovative, can be complex and hard to follow for new players.

Visual Overload: The mix of different components (wooden buildings, 3D cardboard, and flat tokens) can make the game look unfinished.

Personal Thoughts on Antarctica

**Antarctica** is a game tailored for players who enjoy strategic planning, area control, and resource management. It is ideal for those who appreciate mid-weight Euro games with unique mechanics. However, the game may not be the best fit for everyone, especially those who prefer simpler rules or are overwhelmed by complex scoring systems. It is recommended to try the game before purchasing to ensure it aligns with your gaming preferences.

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