Carcassonne: Safari (2018) Board Game

Carcassonne: Safari is a standalone game in the Carcassonne series, designed by Klaus-Jürgen Wrede and released in in 2018. It takes the classic tile-placement gameplay of Carcassonne and adds a new twist with a wildlife theme, where players explore the African savanna and encounter various animals along the way.

Game Components of Carcassonne: Safari

72 land tiles

50 animal tiles

Rulebook

How To Setup Carcassonne: Safari

Setting up **Carcassonne: Safari** is relatively straightforward. Start by shuffling the land tiles and drawing a starting tile to create the initial landscape. Each player chooses a set of followers (meeples) and places them within reach. The animal tiles are shuffled and placed face down within easy access. Players then take turns drawing and placing land tiles to expand the savanna, following the usual Carcassonne rules of matching edges.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Tile Placement: Players draw and place land tiles to build the savanna landscape.

Animal Placement: When specific land features are completed (e.g., savannas, watering holes), players can place animal tiles to score points.

Follower Placement: Players use their followers to score points from completed features.

Objective: The goal is to score the most points by placing tiles and followers strategically and efficiently.

Player Experience

**Carcassonne: Safari** offers a slightly more complex experience compared to the basic Carcassonne game but still maintains ease of play. Players enjoy the scenic African savanna setting, complete with monkeys, lions, and elephants. The game requires strategic planning and adaptability as players need to balance tile placement with the optimal use of their followers and animal tiles.

Pros

Unique Theme: The African savanna setting adds a fresh and exciting twist to the Carcassonne series.

Strategic Depth: Offers more complexity than the base game, making it appealing to both new and experienced players.

Easy to Learn: Despite the added complexity, the game remains easy to learn and play.

Cons

Component Overload: The addition of animal tiles can sometimes feel overwhelming for new players.

Luck of the Draw: The random draw of land and animal tiles can affect game outcomes, making strategy less predictable.

Personal Thoughts on Carcassonne: Safari

**Carcassonne: Safari** is an excellent addition to the Carcassonne series, particularly for those who enjoy tile-laying games with a bit more complexity. It is suitable for families and casual gamers who are looking for a game that is both fun and strategic. However, it may not be the best fit for very young children due to the added complexity and the need for strategic thinking. Overall, it’s a great game for anyone who loves the Carcassonne series and is looking for a new challenge with a unique theme.

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