Elf: Journey from the North Pole (2020) Board Game

Elf: Journey from the North Pole’ is a children’s board game released in 2020 by Funko Games. The game is based on the popular holiday movie ‘Elf’, starring Will Ferrell. In this game, players take on the role of Buddy the Elf as they journey through New York City to find their father.

Game Components of Elf: Journey from the North Pole

Game board

12 tokens

7 Goal cards

60 Path cards

Buddy the Elf mover

Gingerbread Man tokens

New York City Snow Globe token

Instructions

How To Setup Elf: Journey from the North Pole

To set up the game, start by assembling the puzzle game board. Place the Buddy the Elf mover on the start space at the North Pole. Position the seven Location tokens on their corresponding spots on the board, and place the New York City Snow Globe token on the end space. Randomize the Gingerbread Man tokens with the point/star side face down and place one on each of the corresponding locations. Shuffle the Path cards and create a face-down pile next to the board. Each player draws three Path cards and places them face up in front of themselves, along with one Goal card which they should keep secret.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Objective: Guide Buddy the Elf to the locations on your Goal card to score more points than other players.

Path Cards: Players play Path cards to extend the route on the board, ensuring the lines on the cards align with the arrows on previously played cards.

Goal Cards: Each player has a Goal card featuring three locations; visiting these locations earns points, with earlier visits worth more points.

Gingerbread Men: Playing a Path card that touches a Gingerbread Man token allows the player to take the token and score its points at the end of the game.

Game End: The game ends when all Path cards are played or when a Path card touches the New York City Snow Globe Space.

Scoring: Points are tallied from visited locations and Gingerbread Men tokens; the player with the most points wins.

Player Experience

**Elf: Journey from the North Pole** offers a light and fun experience, perfect for families or casual game nights. The game’s mechanic of laying out a loopy route from the North Pole to New York City is engaging and easy to follow, making it accessible to younger players. The moderate luck factor and the need to strategize around Goal cards add a layer of excitement and challenge.

Pros

Family-Friendly: Suitable for ages 7 and up, making it an excellent choice for family game nights.

Easy to Learn: Simple setup and straightforward gameplay mechanics.

Visual Appeal: The game’s theme and components are colorful and thematic, drawing inspiration from the beloved movie “Elf.”

Short Game Length: Games typically last around 20 minutes, ideal for a quick fun session.

Cons

Limited Depth: The game is light on strategy, which might make it less appealing to experienced gamers.

Luck Factor: The random placement of Gingerbread Men tokens and the draw of Path cards can introduce a significant element of luck.

Personal Thoughts on Elf: Journey from the North Pole

This game is perfect for families, young children, and fans of the movie “Elf.” It’s an excellent introduction to tile placement and strategic thinking, wrapped in a festive and fun package. While it may not offer the complexity that hardcore gamers might seek, it is a delightful addition to any casual game collection.

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