Escape from Atlantis (1986) Board Game

Escape from Atlantis, originally released in 1986, is a classic board game that allows players to experience a thrilling adventure on the high seas. Designed by Julian Courtland-Smith and C. Courtland-Smith, this game has stood the test of time and remains a beloved choice for families and friends looking for exciting gameplay.

Game Components of Escape from Atlantis

Island Tiles: 37 molded hexagon tiles forming a 3D island with different regions (mountain peak, mountains, forest, and sandy beach).

Atlanteans: Four tribes, each with 12 villagers represented by small wooden figures in red, blue, green, and yellow.

Boats: Placed in the sea adjacent to the island.

Sea Creatures: Sharks, giant squid, sea serpents, dolphins, and octopuses.

Spinner Device: Used to move sea creatures, indicating the type of creature and the number of spaces to move.

How To Setup Escape from Atlantis

To set up the game, players start by building the 3D island of Atlantis at the center of the board. Each player places their tribe of villagers on the island, with the restriction that sandy beach tiles can only start with one villager per tile. Boats are then placed in the sea adjacent to the island. In a two-player game, there are two boats, while in a three- or four-player game, there are four boats.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Turns: Each player moves their villagers, sinks one tile from the island, and spins the spinner to move sea creatures.

Movement: Players can move up to three spaces with any of their villagers or boats.

Sea Creatures: Sharks kill villagers in the water, whales destroy boats but allow passengers to survive, sea monsters destroy boats and kill villagers, octopuses destroy boats but let passengers survive, and dolphins help villagers swim to safety.

Objective: The goal is to save the most villagers by transporting them to the safety of the coral islands before the island sinks.

Player Experience

Playing Escape from Atlantis is a thrilling experience filled with strategic decisions and a dash of luck. Players must navigate the sinking island, avoid deadly sea creatures, and compete to save the most villagers. The game’s dynamic nature, with the island tiles being removed incrementally, adds an element of urgency and unpredictability. The interaction between players and the sea creatures, especially the dolphins, adds a fun and unpredictable layer to the game.

Pros

Engaging Mechanics: The combination of tile removal, sea creature movement, and strategic player decisions keeps players engaged and invested.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for a wide range of ages, making it a great family game.

Replayability: The random placement of island tiles and the unpredictability of sea creature movements ensure high replayability.

Thematic Fun: The game’s theme of escaping a sinking island surrounded by sea creatures is both exciting and immersive.

Cons

Setup Time: Setting up the 3D island and placing all the components can be time-consuming.

Complexity: While the game is generally easy to understand, the rules and interactions can be complex for very young players.

Luck Factor: The spinner device introduces an element of luck, which can sometimes feel unfair or frustrating.

Personal Thoughts on Escape from Atlantis

Escape from Atlantis is a game that is perfect for families and casual gamers looking for a fun and challenging experience. It combines strategy with luck, making it appealing to a wide range of players. The game’s thematic design and engaging mechanics make it a great addition to any board game collection. However, it may not be the best fit for very young children due to the complexity of the rules and the setup time involved. For those who enjoy survival games with a touch of adventure, Escape from Atlantis is an excellent choice.

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