Evacuation (2023) Board Game

Evacuation is a board game that was released in 2023 by designer Vladimír Suchý and artist Michal Peichl. Published by Delicious Games, this game falls under the categories of Industry/Manufacturing, Racing, Science Fiction, and Territory Building. With a playtime ranging from 60 to 150 minutes, Evacuation is recommended for players aged 12 and up.

Game Components of Evacuation

Player Boards: Each player has a board representing the old and new worlds.

Resource Cubes: For managing food, energy, and other resources.

Technology Grid: A 3×3 grid for upgrading player abilities.

Infrastructure Cards: To boost production on the new world.

Spaceships: For transporting resources and people.

Stadiums: Required to avoid penalties and gain turn order and points.

Hex Tiles: For settling the new world and increasing production.

Progress Track: With satellites that move to grant access to better parts of the new world.

Action Cards: For standard actions and tech research.

Goal Cards: For additional strategic targets.

How To Setup Evacuation

Setting up Evacuation involves several steps. First, each player receives a player board and initial resources. The technology grid is randomly set up with four sets of technologies distributed among the players. The old world map is populated with resources, and the new world map is prepared for settlement. Players also receive starting action cards and any additional components based on the game mode chosen (e.g., Race Mode or Points Mode).

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Action Point System: Players take one action per turn, with escalating energy costs for additional actions.

Resource Management: Manage resources on both the old and new worlds to feed populations and build infrastructure.

Technology Research: Develop technologies to improve actions and gain bonuses.

Settling the New World: Transport resources and people to settle hex tiles and increase production.

Building Spaceships: Construct ships to transport items between worlds.

Building Stadiums: Construct stadiums to avoid penalties and gain benefits.

Progress Track: Advance on the track to access better settlement areas.

The objective is to evacuate the old world and settle the new world efficiently, maximizing production and scoring points based on the resources and infrastructure established on the new world.

Player Experience

Playing Evacuation feels like a delicate balancing act between managing dwindling resources on the old world and building a new society. The game is filled with tension as players must decide when to remove production from the old world to build new resources on the new one. The action point system and escalating energy costs add a layer of strategic depth, forcing players to prioritize their actions carefully.

Pros

Thematic Immersion: The game nails its theme, telling a clear story of evacuation and settlement.

Resource Management: Challenging and engaging resource management across two worlds.

Strategic Depth: The action point system and technology research add significant strategic layers.

Customizability: Includes mini expansions and different game modes (Race Mode, Points Mode) to tailor the game to player preferences.

Goal Cards: Provide additional strategic targets and variability in each game.

Cons

Player Count Limitation: Best with four players; lacks scalability for other player counts.

Complexity: While engaging, the game’s mechanics can feel overwhelming for new players.

The “Kutná Hora Problem”: The game is less optimized for player counts other than four, affecting its overall experience.

Personal Thoughts on Evacuation

Evacuation is ideal for fans of euro games who enjoy strategic resource management and action point systems. It is particularly suited for groups of four players, where the game’s mechanics shine best. The inclusion of various game modes and mini expansions makes it versatile, allowing players to adjust the complexity and focus of the game to their liking. For those who enjoy a good thematic experience with a strong narrative, Evacuation is a compelling choice. However, it may not be the best fit for casual gamers or those preferring lighter game experiences.

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