Don’t Let It Die (2020) Board Game

Don’t Let It Die is a board game released in 2020, designed by Samuel Milham and published by Thunk Board Games. The game is set in a prehistoric theme where players work together to prevent the extinction of endangered species.

Game Components of Don’t Let It Die

17 Unique Characters: Each character has special skills and specialties.

Resource Tokens: Berries, plant fiber, rocks, meat, wood, hide, and bone.

Fire Knowledge Points (FKP) Tokens: Used to unlock fire discoveries.

Fire Die: Rolls award 0-3 FKP tokens per roll.

Danger Cards: Represent encounters with predators.

Tools and Weapons: Crafted to aid in resource gathering and defense.

Buildings: Constructed to benefit the entire tribe.

Day Event Cards: Part of the mini expansion “Daylight,” introducing new events and the character Sig.

Fish Tokens: Introduced in the “Daylight” expansion, restoring stamina instead of health.

How To Setup Don’t Let It Die

To set up the game, players first choose their characters, each with unique abilities. The game board is arranged with the Fire Knowledge Tree, resource decks, and Danger cards. Each player starts with basic resources and a set amount of stamina. The Fire Die and FKP tokens are placed within reach. The Day Event deck, if using the “Daylight” expansion, is also prepared.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative Play: Designed for 1-4 players working together.

Resource Management: Players collect and manage resources like berries, meat, and wood.

Fire Discoveries: Earn FKP tokens to unlock discoveries, with the ultimate goal of achieving the “Fire Starter” discovery.

Crafting: Tools, weapons, and buildings are crafted to aid survival.

Danger Encounters: Players face predators and must defend themselves.

Day Events: Introduce new challenges and opportunities with the “Daylight” expansion.

Multiple Difficulties: Four different Fire Knowledge Trees offer varying levels of difficulty.

Player Experience

In **Don’t Let It Die**, players immerse themselves in a challenging cooperative environment where they must work together to keep a fire alive and learn its secrets before a flood extinguishes it. The game demands strategic planning, resource management, and adaptation to changing threats. With 17 unique characters and multiple difficulty levels, the game offers high replayability.

Pros

High Replayability: Over 2,380 character combinations and multiple difficulty levels.

Strategic Depth: Players must balance resource gathering, fire management, and defense.

Cooperative Mechanics: Encourages teamwork and communication.

Thematic Engagement: Immersive scenario of early human survival.

Expansions: The “Daylight” expansion adds new characters, resources, and events.

Cons

Complex Rule Set: May require multiple plays to fully understand the mechanics.

Resource Overload: Managing multiple resources can be overwhelming.

Luck Factor: Rolls of the Fire Die and Day Event cards can introduce unpredictability.

Personal Thoughts on Don’t Let It Die

**Don’t Let It Die** is perfect for fans of cooperative games and those who enjoy strategic resource management. It’s ideal for groups of friends or family who like to work together to overcome challenging scenarios. The game’s thematic depth and high replayability make it a great addition to any board game collection, especially for those interested in prehistoric survival themes. However, it may not be the best fit for casual gamers due to its complex rules and multiple mechanics.

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