Escape from 100 Million B.C. (2017) Board Game

Escape from 100 Million B.C. is a cooperative adventure board game that was released in in 2017. Designed by Alex Horley and published by IDW Games, it takes players on a journey back in time to the prehistoric era. The game combines elements of science fiction and adventure as players work together to navigate through a dangerous world filled with dinosaurs and other threats.

Game Components of Escape from 100 Million B.C.

Character sheets with stats (brawn, speed, will, health) and unique special abilities

Equipment cards

Game map with explorable terrain tiles

Dice for resolving encounters

Time machine parts and equipment tokens

Dinosaur and time castaway figures

Paradox track and Future Results Chart

How To Setup Escape from 100 Million B.C.

To set up the game, players first receive their character sheets and initial equipment cards. The game map is composed of randomly placed terrain tiles, which are revealed as players explore. The time machine parts and equipment are scattered across the map, simulating the crash landing. The paradox track and Future Results Chart are also set up to monitor the game’s progression and potential alterations to the future.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative Play: Players work together to achieve the game’s objectives.

Exploration: Players move around the map, revealing new terrain tiles and encountering dinosaurs, adventures, and time castaways.

Encounter Resolution: Players use their character stats and dice rolls to fight, repel, or flee from dinosaurs and interact with other encounters.

Paradox Mechanic: The paradox level increases when dinosaurs are fought and won, or when time castaways are not sent back through time rifts, leading to potential time rifts and the volcano eruption.

Objective: Collect all time machine parts, gather equipment, and return to the volcano area without causing too much paradox, thereby avoiding significant alterations to the future.

Player Experience

Playing Escape from 100 Million B.C. is a highly interactive and thematic experience. Players must strategize and communicate effectively to manage the challenges of the prehistoric world. The game’s random elements, such as tile placement and card draws, ensure high replayability, making each game unique. The cooperative nature encourages teamwork, but the looming threat of the volcano and the paradox level adds a layer of urgency and complexity.

Pros

Thematic Excellence: The game’s theme is well-integrated, making every action feel relevant to the time-traveling adventure.

Multiple Strategies: Players can choose between different approaches, such as clearing the map of dinosaurs or racing to find the time machine parts quickly.

High Replay Value: Random tile placement, card draws, and varied character combinations ensure no two games are alike.

Cooperative Interaction: The game fosters teamwork and discussion among players.

Cons

Luck and Dice Rolling: The game involves a significant amount of luck due to dice rolling, which may not appeal to players seeking more strategic games.

Complexity: Managing the paradox level and time castaways can be stressful and complex.

Personal Thoughts on Escape from 100 Million B.C.

Escape from 100 Million B.C. is ideal for fans of cooperative adventure games and those who enjoy a strong thematic experience. It is not recommended for players who prefer highly strategic games or those who are not interested in the time-traveling theme. The game’s complexity and reliance on luck make it a great fit for players looking for a challenging yet fun cooperative experience.

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