Farsight (2017) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Farsight is a board game released in 2017 that combines elements of deduction, science fiction, spies/secret agents, and wargaming. Designed by Brian Coughlan, Sam Denmark, Volkan Kucukemre, Laslo Ludrovan, and Lewis Shaw, the game challenges players to outwit their opponents in a futuristic world of espionage and intrigue.

Game Components of Farsight

Game board with a gridded map featuring forests, mountains, lakes, and hills

Units including mechs, infantry, and artillery

Hidden specialists like saboteurs, assassins, and AI ‘Seers’

Terrain cards for customizing the map

Dice for combat resolution

Tokens and chits (optional miniatures available)

Shadow map for noting specialists’ locations

Rulebook with a simple four-phase structure.

How To Setup Farsight

Setting up Farsight involves deploying units face down on the board, which introduces the hidden movement mechanic. Players choose one of four private military corporations (Ares, Zafar, DAIA, or Vestus) and customize their armies. The terrain is customized using cards, and each player notes the secret locations of their specialists on a shadow map. The objective is to take and hold key strategic bases spread across the board.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Hidden movement: Units are placed face down on the board, hiding their identity.

Fog of war: Units are revealed only through combat.

Customizable armies and terrain: Players can build unique armies and modify the terrain.

Environmental simulations: Terrain affects gameplay.

Hidden specialists: Units like saboteurs, assassins, and AI ‘Seers’ operate off the main board.

Game Objective

Control key bases: Players must capture and hold at least eight bases.

Eliminate opponents: Disable or eliminate opponents’ units and specialists to maintain superiority.

Player Experience

Farsight offers a deep tactical experience with a slow build-up to intense combat. Players must use their wits to bluff and outmaneuver their opponents, utilizing the hidden movement and specialists to their advantage. The game starts with few units on the field, ramping up to a crescendo as the battle unfolds. Combat is quick and deadly, with units having only three life points, but varying in attack and defense capabilities. The game encourages long-term planning and strategic thinking.

Pros

Innovative hidden movement and fog of war mechanics

High customizability with terrain and army options

Simple yet strategic gameplay

Suitable for new gamers

Intense and engaging combat

Cons

Initial learning curve due to unique mechanics

Unit health system may feel counterintuitive (all units have 3 life points)

Rulebook can be clumsy at times

Personal Thoughts on Farsight

Farsight is ideal for players who enjoy tactical war games and are looking for something new and challenging. It suits those who appreciate the strategic depth of hidden movement and fog of war mechanics. While it may feel intimidating at first, the game’s simplicity in rules makes it accessible to new gamers. For fans of games like Space Marine or Stratego, Farsight offers a fresh twist with its customizable elements and hidden specialists, making it a compelling addition to any war game collection.

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