CoraQuest (2022) Board Game – Board Game Guys

CoraQuest is a cooperative adventure board game designed by Dan Hughes and Cora Hughes. It was released in 2022 and is suitable for 1–4 players, with a runtime of 45–60 minutes. The game is aimed at children aged 6 and above, making it a great option for family game nights.

Game Components of CoraQuest

Character cards with unique abilities

Weapon cards with specific ranges and dice rolls

Dungeon tiles for modular map creation

Treasure cards

Enemy cards with simple movement and attack rules

Story tiles with narrative text

Countdown track for special ability cooldowns

Explore token

Dice for combat resolution

Blank cards for customizing heroes, monsters, and items

A book of 10 adventures with a story arc.

How To Setup CoraQuest

To set up CoraQuest, players start by shuffling and stacking the dungeon tiles to create a modular map. Each stack includes three dungeon cards and a fourth card that triggers the next section of the story. Players choose four heroes from the available set, each with slightly different stats. The game components, including character cards, weapon cards, and treasure cards, are then readied for play. The setup process is designed to be straightforward, allowing the game to be playable straight out of the box.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Actions: Each player can take up to two full actions (Move, Attack, Search, Swap, Revive) and as many free actions as they like (using an item, revealing a dungeon tile).

Combat: Resolved by rolling dice based on the character’s card and equipped weapon.

Exploration: Players draw and place dungeon tiles, discovering new areas and story elements.

Teamwork: Players work together, helping each other with actions like healing and assisting.

Objective: The goal is to complete the adventure by reaching the end of the dungeon, avoiding traps, finding treasure, and defeating monsters.

Player Experience

CoraQuest offers a whimsical and engaging experience, particularly suited for families and younger gamers. The game features simple mechanics that are easy to understand, making it accessible to children as young as six. The artwork, based on kids’ drawings from around the world, adds a charming and unique touch. The stories are light-hearted and humorous, with recurring characters and silly situations. Each adventure is relatively short, lasting about an hour, and the modular design ensures a unique experience each time the game is played.

Pros

Simple Mechanics: Easy for kids to understand and play.

Whimsical Art: Based on children’s drawings, adding a charming and unique aesthetic.

Engaging Narrative: Light-hearted and humorous stories with recurring characters.

High Replayability: Modular map creation and multiple characters ensure varied gameplay.

Customization: Encourages creativity with tips for creating new heroes, monsters, and stories.

Cons

Limited Complexity: May be too simple for experienced gamers.

Linear Story: While modular, the story follows a linear pattern.

Personal Thoughts on CoraQuest

CoraQuest is an excellent introduction to the dungeon crawler genre for younger gamers and families. It strikes a perfect balance between simplicity and engagement, making it an ideal game for children to learn teamwork and basic game mechanics. The game’s accessibility, whimsical art, and customizable elements make it a standout in its category. For adults looking to introduce their children to board games or simply seeking a light, enjoyable family game, CoraQuest is a great choice.

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