Cartaventuras (2021) Board Game

Cartaventuras is a card game released in 2021 by Eclipse Editorial. It is designed for 1-8 players, with the best experience being for 2-3 players. The game falls under the adventure, card game, exploration, and fantasy categories, with gameplay mechanics including area movement, narrative choice/paragraph, role-playing, storytelling, and variable player powers.

Game Components of Cartaventuras

Cards: 70 double-sided square cards, including map cards, action cards, object cards, and urgent cards.

No rulebook: Rules are explained as you play through the deck.

Icons and Numbers: Color-coded icons and numbers help navigate the game.

Black Dot: A black dot on the bottom of cards aids in resetting the game.

How To Setup Cartaventuras

To set up the game, simply unwrap the deck of cards and read the back of the first card. Do not shuffle or re-arrange the deck; start at the top and follow the directions. The game begins with the first card, and players proceed through the deck card by card, making choices and adding new cards to the map or inventory as instructed.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Narrative Adventure: Players build an adventure by making choices through the cards, which lead to different paths and multiple endings.

Map Building: Map cards are placed in the middle of the table, and action cards are added around them based on compass rose numbers.

Choices and Interactions: Players decide together on actions, interact with characters, and resolve urgent events.

Object Cards: Players collect and use object cards for various benefits.

Multiple Endings: The game features five possible endings based on player choices.

Reset Mechanism: The game includes a mechanism to reset and replay with the same deck.

Player Experience

**Cartaventura: Lhasa** offers an immersive and collaborative experience where players travel through historical settings, such as Ceylon, India, and the Himalayas, to reach the forbidden city of Lhasa in Tibet. The game is designed to be engaging for both solo players and groups, with simple rules and a color-coded system that makes it easy to follow. Players enjoy the choose-your-own-adventure style gameplay and the historical context, which is meticulously researched.

Pros

Immersive Storytelling: The game provides a rich narrative with multiple endings.

Historical Accuracy: Meticulously researched historical settings and figures.

Easy to Learn: Simple rules and color-coded icons make it accessible.

Replayable: Multiple endings and the ability to reset the game for replay.

Collaborative: Encourages teamwork and discussion among players.

Cons

Fragile Components: The cards must be kept in perfect order to replay the game.

Limited Visibility: With more players, it can be hard to see all the cards on the table.

Sensitive Content: Some cards contain violence, murder, and mature themes.

Personal Thoughts on Cartaventuras

**Cartaventura: Lhasa** is ideal for those who enjoy narrative-driven games, historical adventures, and choose-your-own-adventure styles. It is particularly suited for players who appreciate collaborative gameplay and are interested in exploring different historical settings. However, due to some mature themes and content, parental discretion is advised for younger players. The game’s design makes it a great addition for anyone looking for a unique and engaging storytelling experience.

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.