Explorers (2021) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Explorers is a board game released in 2021, designed by Sabrina Miramon and published by Ravensburger. It falls under the categories of Abstract Strategy and Exploration, with gameplay that involves end game bonuses, line drawing, modular board, paper-and-pencil, and pick-up and deliver mechanisms. The game is suitable for 1 to 4 players, with a recommended age of 8 and above.

Game Components of Explorers

4 Player boards

32 Terrain tiles

12 Scoring tiles

8 Exploration tiles

1 First Player token

4 dry erase markers

A rulebook

Additional task tiles for experienced players.

How To Setup Explorers

To set up the game, each player receives a player board and a dry-erase marker. The terrain tiles, which are 8×8 grids, are randomly selected and placed into each player’s board as quadrants. Each tile contains various terrain types such as sand, grass, stone, and water, along with objects like villages, keys, temples, horses, scrolls, gems, and food items. The game starts with the active player pulling one of the seven exploration tiles, which have two terrain options, and selecting one to mark three X’s on the matching terrain squares on their map.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics:

Flip and Write: Players mark their travel on the map using dry-erase markers.

Terrain Exploration: Players select terrain types and mark X’s on corresponding squares.

Resource Collection: Marking X’s on objects like provisions, precious stones, villages, and animals.

Temple Unlocking: Using keys to enter temples for points or bonuses.

Variable Setup: Each game has a different map configuration due to random tile placement and rotation.

Objective:

The goal is to plan your route wisely to score the most points by exploring the landscape, collecting resources, and unlocking temples. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.

Player Experience

**Explorers** offers a engaging and dynamic experience with high replayability due to its variable setup. The game is simple to learn but provides enough depth for strategic play, making it suitable for both families and experienced gamers. The simultaneous play mechanism keeps all players involved throughout the game, ensuring that each decision impacts everyone at the table. The game also includes a solo mode and additional rules for experienced players, adding more variety and challenge.

Pros

High Replayability: Different terrain tiles and setups ensure no two games are alike.

Easy to Learn: Simple mechanics make it accessible to players of all ages.

Strategic Depth: Enough complexity to keep experienced players engaged.

Solo Mode: Includes a solo explorer rank for solo play.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players as young as 8 years old.

Cons

Limited Direct Interaction: Players do not directly interact with each other, which might be a drawback for some.

Setup Time: While not extensive, the random setup of tiles can take a few minutes.

Personal Thoughts on Explorers

**Explorers** is an excellent choice for families and casual gamers looking for a game that is both easy to learn and offers a good level of strategic depth. It is particularly appealing to those who enjoy map-based exploration and resource management. The game’s versatility, with its solo mode and additional rules for experienced players, makes it a great addition to any game collection. If you’re looking for a game that combines simplicity with replay value, **Explorers** is definitely worth exploring.

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