Expedition: Famous Explorers (2013) Board Game

Expedition: Famous Explorers is a board game that was released in in 2013. It is designed by Andre Garcia, Guri Mond, and Julia Semionova, with artwork by 8th Summit. The game falls under the categories of Exploration and Travel, and it involves players taking on the roles of famous explorers as they compete to discover new lands and complete expeditions. The game is designed for 2-6 players, with the best player count being 3-4.

Game Components of Expedition: Famous Explorers

Map board featuring various global locations

Colored arrows for route building

Location cards with historical and geographical information

Tickets for special actions

Explorer and Event cards (optional advanced rules)

Secret Destination cards (optional advanced rules)

Miniatures and Hazard Deck (exclusive to the Kickstarter campaign)[5%.

How To Setup Expedition: Famous Explorers

To set up the game, each player receives a hand of Location cards, each describing a different global location. The three expeditions (red, blue, and yellow) start at the same location in Europe. Players mark their important destinations on the board, while keeping other locations secret. Public destinations are also displayed on the board. Tickets and optional Explorer and Event cards are placed within reach of all players.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Route Building: Players add colored arrows to extend the expeditions’ paths.

Location Scoring: When an expedition reaches a location matching a player’s Location card, the player scores points.

Tickets: Used to perform special actions like adding or removing arrows, buying Explorer or Event cards, or drawing new Location cards.

Advanced Rules: Include Explorer cards for bonus points, Event cards for advantages, and Secret Destinations for additional scoring opportunities.

Objective: Guide the expeditions to your destinations to score points, while preventing opponents from reaching theirs.

Player Experience

Expedition: Famous Explorers offers a fun and strategic experience for families and casual gamers. The game is easy to understand, with simple mechanics like adding arrows to extend routes, but it also includes deeper strategy with the use of Tickets and advanced rules. Players must balance influencing the direction of the expeditions with managing their Tickets and cards. The game also provides educational value through the historical and geographical trivia on the Location cards.

Pros

Family Friendly: Supports up to 6 players, making it ideal for family game nights.

Educational: Includes interesting facts about global locations and famous explorers.

Strategic Depth: Offers both simple and advanced rules to cater to different player preferences.

Interactive: Players can influence each other’s expeditions, adding a social element.

Variable Replayability: Different expedition paths and card draws ensure varied gameplay each time.

Cons

Lightweight: May be too light for experienced gamers who prefer more complex strategies.

Artwork: Some players find the artwork dated or not appealing.

Scoring: Games can be low-scoring and close, which may not appeal to everyone looking for high-stakes competition[5%.

Personal Thoughts on Expedition: Famous Explorers

Expedition: Famous Explorers is perfect for families or casual gamers looking for a fun and educational game. It’s an excellent gateway game for introducing new players to strategy and route-building mechanics. For fans of Wolfgang Kramer or those who enjoy games like Ticket to Ride but want a more family-oriented experience, Expedition: Famous Explorers is a great addition to their game collection. However, experienced gamers seeking more complex strategies might find it too light.

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