Aquanauts (2023) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Aquanauts is a board game released in 2023, designed by Marco Luna and illustrated by Inside the Box Board Games LLP. It falls under the categories of Economic, Environmental, Exploration, Farming, Industry / Manufacturing, and Nautical. The game is designed for 2-4 players, with a runtime of 45-60 minutes and suitable for ages 10 and up.

Game Components of Aquanauts

Research station components

Aquanaut miniatures

Resource tokens

Discovery cards

Ocean floor tiles

Player boards

How To Setup Aquanauts

To set up Aquanauts, start by constructing the ocean floor using the tiles, creating the twilight zone where players will conduct their research. Each player chooses an Aquanaut and sets up their player board. The research station components are placed centrally, and resource tokens and discovery cards are shuffled and distributed according to the game’s rules.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Worker Placement: Players deploy their Aquanauts to different parts of the ocean floor to gather resources and conduct research.

Resource Management: Manage resources to build and expand the research station.

Area Control: Compete to control key areas of the ocean floor for better research opportunities.

Objective: The main goal is to build a thriving research station and uncover the mysteries of life beneath the waves by collecting and analyzing discoveries.

Player Experience

In Aquanauts, players are immersed in a deep-sea adventure, navigating the challenges of underwater research. The game combines strategic planning with the excitement of discovery, as players uncover new species and phenomena. The worker placement mechanic adds a layer of competition, requiring players to think carefully about where to deploy their Aquanauts.

Pros

Engaging Theme: The deep-sea research theme is unique and captivating.

Strategic Depth: The combination of worker placement and resource management offers a rich strategic experience.

High Replayability: The random placement of ocean floor tiles and discovery cards ensures each game is different.

Cons

Complex Rules: The game has a moderate to high complexity level, which might be overwhelming for new players.

Setup Time: Setting up the game can take some time due to the tile placement and resource distribution.

Personal Thoughts on Aquanauts

Aquanauts is ideal for fans of strategic board games and those interested in scientific exploration. It offers a challenging and rewarding experience, making it a great addition to any board game collection. However, it may not be the best fit for casual gamers due to its complexity and setup time. If you enjoy games like Terraforming Mars or Scythe, you might find Aquanauts to be a compelling addition to your gaming library.

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.