Desolate (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Desolate is a solo board game designed by Jason Glover and released in in 2018. It falls under the categories of card games, dice games, exploration games, print & play games, and science fiction games. The game is published by Grey Gnome Games and is designed for players aged 10 and above.

Game Components of Desolate

Tracker cards: For health, oxygen, and ammo.

Item cards: Provide various bonuses and actions.

Exploration deck: Contains room and conflict cards.

Conflict deck: Used for resolving enemy encounters.

Colored markers: For tracking resources.

Dice: Used for combat resolution.

How To Setup Desolate

To set up **Desolate**, the player starts by placing the colored markers on the highest values of the health, oxygen, and ammo trackers (14, 4, and 7, respectively). The player then shuffles the Item card deck, draws three cards, and keeps two of them. The remaining Item cards are set aside. Next, the player separates and shuffles the exploration and conflict decks, placing them face down on the table. The player is now ready to begin the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Draw and Reveal: Each turn, the player draws two cards from the Exploration deck and reveals one to resolve or discard.

Resource Management: Manage health, oxygen, and ammo.

Combat Mechanism: Engage enemies using dice rolls, with each ammo spent equaling one die roll.

Objective: The goal is to find five power cells to escape the hostile environment.

Player Experience

In **Desolate**, players embark on a survival adventure on a distant moon, navigating through a deserted station filled with dangers. The game is known for its quick playtime of 15-20 minutes and its engaging, immersive gameplay. Players must make strategic decisions about resource allocation and risk management, especially during combat encounters.

Pros

Quick Playtime: Games are completed in 15-20 minutes.

Simple Setup: Easy to set up and start playing.

Engaging Mechanics: Innovative combat and resource management systems.

Immersive Theme: Captures a retro, horror, sci-fi vibe effectively.

Cons

Limited Exploration Deck: The exploration deck is small, leading to fast “levels.”

High Replay Dependency on Luck: Success can be heavily influenced by the draw of cards.

Personal Thoughts on Desolate

**Desolate** is a gem for solo gamers who enjoy resource management and strategic decision-making. It is perfect for those who want a quick, intense gaming experience without the complexity of longer games. The game’s design ensures that players’ decisions are crucial to their survival, making each game session engaging and challenging. However, it may not be ideal for players seeking longer, more narrative-driven experiences or those who prefer less luck-dependent outcomes.

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