Captain Silver (2017) Board Game

Captain Silver is a children’s board game released in 2017, designed by Wolfgang Dirscherl and Manfred Reindl. The game is centered around a pirate theme, where players take on the roles of pirates searching for hidden treasure on a mysterious island. With simple rules and a quick runtime of around 20 minutes, it is suitable for players aged 6 and above.

Game Components of Captain Silver

Pirate pouches

Pirate items (16 per player)

Gold coins

Pirate ships

Treasure chests

Island cards

Volcano cards

Game boards (Pirate World, Treasure Island, ocean boards, Volcano Island)

Storage spaces for treasure chests

How To Setup Captain Silver

To set up Captain Silver, players first assemble the Pirate World by connecting the six game boards: the Treasure Island board, four ocean boards, and the Volcano Island board. For two-player games, only three ocean boards are used. Each player receives a pirate pouch, three gold coins, a pirate ship, and 16 pirate items of their chosen color. The ships are placed on the starting space of the Treasure Island board. Treasure chests and island cards are mixed and stacked face down on their respective storage spaces. Volcano cards are also mixed and stacked, with two cards removed from the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Simultaneous Action: Players act simultaneously, trying to find wanted pirate items in their pouches.

Tactile Search: Players feel for items in their pouches and quickly draw out matching items.

Item Placement: Matching items are placed on the corresponding spaces on the game board.

Gold Coins: Players earn gold coins for matching items.

Treasure Hunt: Players can set sail to Treasure Island to recover valuable treasures.

Penalty: Non-matching items are placed on Volcano Island, requiring players to pay a penalty to reclaim them.

Game Rounds: The game is played over three rounds, with items reclaimed and returned to pouches after each round.

Objective: The goal is to collect the most points by matching items, earning gold coins, and recovering treasures.

Player Experience

Captain Silver offers a thrilling and interactive experience, especially for younger players. The game’s tactile nature, where players feel and grab items from their pouches, adds a fun and chaotic element. The simultaneous action mechanism ensures that all players are engaged and active throughout the game, making it a great choice for families or groups looking for a light-hearted, competitive game.

Pros

Engaging and Interactive: Simultaneous action keeps all players involved.

Tactile Fun: Feeling for items in pouches adds a unique tactile experience.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players as young as 6 years old.

Quick Games: Each game consists of only three rounds, making it a quick and fun experience.

Cons

Luck-Based: Success can be heavily reliant on luck when feeling for items.

Simple Mechanics: Some players may find the game mechanics too simple or repetitive.

Component Management: Managing and reclaiming items after each round can be a bit tedious.

Personal Thoughts on Captain Silver

Captain Silver is ideal for families or groups looking for a light-hearted, easy-to-learn game that offers a unique tactile experience. It’s perfect for younger players who enjoy hands-on activities and quick, competitive games. For those seeking more complex strategies or deeper gameplay, Captain Silver might not be the best fit, but it certainly shines as a fun, casual addition to any game collection.

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