Earthborne Rangers is a cooperative adventure card game that takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where players take on the roles of Rangers, tasked with exploring the wasteland and protecting the last remaining human settlements. The game was designed by a team of experienced game designers and artists, and was published by Earthborne Games in 2023.
Game Components of Earthborne Rangers
Main Box: Contains 540 cards, a Campaign Box, a Rulebook, tokens, and a Valley Map.Cards: Include Aspect cards, reward cards, and various themed cards for exploration and challenges.Valley Guide: A 56-page campaign/scenario book with a storybook vibe, featuring text to read and decisions to make.Rulebook: A 48-page comprehensive guide to the game.Map: A map of the valley to guide exploration and terrain navigation.Tokens: Energy tokens and progress/harm tokens for tracking player status.
How To Setup Earthborne Rangers
Setting up Earthborne Rangers involves several steps:
Character Creation: Players choose their Ranger’s aspects, background, specialization, personality, and outside interest to craft their unique character and build their initial deck.Deck Building: Each player selects cards from specific pools based on their character choices, including unique cards from their class and specialty.Path Deck: Players build the path deck using Terrain and Location sets of cards, guided by the campaign guide.Initial Placement: Players place their starting cards and tokens on the table, preparing for the first round of exploration.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Cooperative Exploration: Players work together to explore the open world, complete missions, and overcome challenges.Deck-Advancement: Players gradually improve their decks with new cards and equipment as they progress through the game.Resource Management: Players manage energy and effort by discarding cards with matching icons to perform actions.Challenge Resolution: Actions are resolved by drawing challenge cards and matching icons on cards in play to determine success or failure.Narrative Actions: Players perform actions that interact thematically and narratively with the world, shaping the course of events.Exploration: Players navigate the valley map, discovering new locations, gear, items, and creatures.
Player Experience
Earthborne Rangers offers a highly immersive and dynamic experience, with a feel similar to open-world video games. Players explore a vast, detailed map, engage in varied activities such as befriending creatures, fighting, climbing, and traveling, all while managing their stamina and resources. The game features a rich narrative with multiple choices and outcomes, ensuring no two playthroughs are the same.
Pros
Highly Customizable Characters: Players can create unique Rangers with varied backgrounds, specializations, and abilities.Rich Narrative and Storytelling: The game includes a detailed scenario book and dynamic story elements that evolve with player actions.Extensive Exploration: A large map with numerous locations to discover, ensuring long-term replayability.Sustainable Production: The game is produced with a focus on environmental sustainability.
Cons
Complex Setup: The initial setup process can be lengthy and intricate.Late Delivery: The game experienced delays in its Kickstarter delivery, arriving over a year after the promised date.Resource Intensive Rules: The rulebook is 48 pages long, indicating a complex ruleset that may require significant time to learn.
Personal Thoughts on Earthborne Rangers
Earthborne Rangers is ideal for fans of cooperative games, open-world adventures, and those who appreciate deep character customization. It is particularly suited for players looking for a game with a strong narrative focus and high replayability. The game’s emphasis on environmental sustainability is also a plus for those who care about the ecological footprint of their hobbies. However, due to its complexity and lengthy setup, it may not be the best fit for casual gamers or those new to tabletop gaming.
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