Beacon Patrol (2023) Board Game

Beacon Patrol is an abstract strategy board game released in 2023 by Pandasaurus Games. Designed and illustrated by Torben Ratzlaff, the game focuses on exploration and nautical themes, challenging players to work together to navigate treacherous waters and light beacons to guide ships to safety.

Game Components of Beacon Patrol

Modular game board

Beacon tokens

Ship tokens

Challenge cards

Player markers

Rulebook

How To Setup Beacon Patrol

Lay out the modular game board.

Place beacon tokens in designated locations.

Shuffle challenge cards and place them face down.

Each player chooses a color and takes the corresponding player marker and ship token.

Determine the starting player.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Players take turns moving their ship tokens on the grid-based board, trying to reach and light up all the beacons before time runs out. Challenge cards add obstacles and strategic decisions, making teamwork crucial for success. The objective is to light up all beacons and guide ships safely through the waters.

Player Experience

Pros:

Cooperative gameplay encourages teamwork and communication.

Variable difficulty levels keep the game challenging.

Modular board and random card draws add replayability.

Cons:

Limited player count may not be suitable for larger groups.

Game can feel repetitive after multiple plays.

Personal Thoughts on Beacon Patrol

Beacon Patrol is a solid abstract strategy game that offers a unique cooperative experience. The build quality is good, with sturdy components and attractive artwork. The game falls into a niche category of exploration and nautical themes, which may not appeal to all players.

In terms of pricing and availability, Beacon Patrol is competitively priced for the quality and experience it offers. Both new and used copies are available, making it accessible to a wide range of players.

For those who enjoy abstract strategy games with a cooperative twist, Beacon Patrol is worth checking out. Players who prefer competitive or more traditional board games may want to skip this one. Overall, Beacon Patrol is a well-designed game that offers a challenging and engaging experience for the right audience.

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