Friday (2011) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Friday is a solo deck-building game designed by Friedemann Friese and released in 2011. The game is themed around the classic novel “Robinson Crusoe” by Daniel Defoe, where players take on the role of Friday, assisting Robinson Crusoe in surviving on a deserted island.

Game Components of Friday

Game board: Representing Robinson Crusoe’s island

121 Island tiles: Used to create the island and its challenges

13 Hazard cards: Introducing various obstacles

4 Life tokens: Tracking the player’s health

15 Activity cards: Allowing the player to perform actions

12 Robison Crusoe cards: Providing special abilities and events

1 Robinson Crusoe game piece: The player’s avatar

1 Die: For resolving various challenges

Resource tokens: For food, health, and other necessities

How To Setup Friday

To set up Friday, start by placing the game board in the middle of the playing area. Shuffle the Island tiles and draw a set number based on the selected difficulty level, placing them to form the island. Each tile may introduce new challenges or resources. Shuffle the Hazard and Activity decks, placing them within reach. Each player starts with a set number of Life tokens and Resource tokens. The Robinson Crusoe game piece is placed on the starting tile.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Solo Play: Designed for one player, simulating Robinson Crusoe’s survival on a deserted island.

Tile Placement: Island tiles are drawn and placed to create the island, each introducing new challenges or resources.

Resource Management: Managing food, health, and other resources to survive.

Hazard Resolution: Resolving obstacles using the die and Activity cards.

Activity Cards: Performing actions such as hunting, fishing, or building shelter.

Robinson Crusoe Cards: Utilizing special abilities to aid in survival.

Objective: Survive for three years on the island, with the goal of eventually escaping.

Player Experience

Playing Friday is an immersive solo experience that tests your survival skills and strategic thinking. Each game is different due to the random placement of Island tiles and the draw of Hazard and Activity cards. The game requires careful resource management and timely use of special abilities to overcome challenges. The feeling of isolation and the need to adapt to new situations make it a thrilling and engaging experience.

Pros

High Replayability: Random tile placement and card draws ensure each game is unique.

Challenging: Requires strategic thinking and resource management.

Thematic: Strongly themed around survival on a deserted island.

Solo Play: Perfect for players who enjoy solo gaming experiences.

Cons

Complexity: Can be overwhelming for new players due to the numerous rules and mechanics.

Length: Games can be quite long, especially at higher difficulty levels.

Luck Factor: The random draw of tiles and cards can sometimes lead to unfair challenges.

Personal Thoughts on Friday

Friday is an excellent choice for players who enjoy solo adventures and survival games. It offers a high level of replayability and challenges that require careful planning and resource management. However, it may not be the best fit for players who prefer lighter, more straightforward games or those who are easily frustrated by a significant luck factor. If you’re up for a challenging and immersive solo experience, Friday is definitely worth considering.

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