Hellapagos (2017) Board Game

Hellapagos is a party game that was released in 2017 by designers Laurence Gamelin and Philippe Gamelin. The game is published by 999 Games and is known for its bluffing, negotiation, and semi-cooperative gameplay mechanics. The game is designed for 3 to 12 players, with the ideal player count being 7 to

Hellapagos has a runtime of around 20 minutes and is suitable for players aged 8 and above.

Game Components of Hellapagos

Player cards: Each player starts with a hand of 4 random wreck cards.

Resource tokens: Tokens for water, food, and wood.

Raft building markers: Used to track the progress of the raft construction.

Weather cards: Including a hurricane card that signals the end of the game.

Wreckage deck: Contains various items that can be used to influence the game.

Action tokens: For fishing, collecting water, gathering wood, and searching the wreckage.

Marbles: Used for fishing and wood gathering, including a black marble indicating a snake bite.

How To Setup Hellapagos

To set up Hellapagos, players are dealt four random wreck cards each. Initial water and food supplies are distributed, just enough to last the first round. The weather deck is shuffled with the hurricane card seeded in the bottom half. Players decide on their starting player and begin their survival journey on the desert island.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Resource Management: Players collect water, food, and wood to survive and build a raft.
– *Fishing*: Draw marbles to determine the number of fish caught.
– *Collecting Water*: Draw a weather card to determine the number of water rations.
– *Gathering Wood*: Draw marbles, risking a snake bite if a black marble is drawn.
– *Searching Wreckage*: Draw a card from the wreckage deck.

Strategic Negotiation: Cooperation is necessary, but scarcity of resources leads to tough decisions.

Survival Mechanics: Players must manage limited resources, voting on who to eliminate if there is not enough food or water.

Escape Objective: Build a raft with enough supplies before the hurricane hits.

Voting System: Players vote on who will be eliminated when resources are scarce or when the hurricane arrives.

Player Experience

Playing Hellapagos is a tense and engaging experience, especially with larger groups. The game starts cooperatively, with players working together to gather resources and build a raft. However, as resources dwindle, the game shifts towards cutthroat competition, with players using wreck cards to protect themselves or sabotage others. The voting system can lead to dramatic and sometimes personal conflicts, making the game dynamic and unpredictable.

Pros

High Social Interaction: Encourages negotiation, alliances, and strategic thinking.

Dynamic Gameplay: The game evolves from cooperation to competition, keeping players engaged.

Thematic Immersion: Well-designed components and art enhance the survival theme.

Scalable Player Count: Supports up to 12 players, though smaller groups may be preferred for faster gameplay.

Cons

Limited Engagement for Eliminated Players: Players who are voted out or die do not have a significant role in the remainder of the game.

Potential for Group Bullying: The voting system can lead to players being targeted unfairly.

Short Game Duration: Games are relatively short, lasting about 20 minutes.

Personal Thoughts on Hellapagos

Hellapagos is perfect for those who enjoy games that blend strategy, social deduction, and negotiation. It’s ideal for larger groups and parties, offering a unique blend of cooperative and competitive elements. However, it may not be the best fit for smaller, tighter-knit groups where eliminated players might feel left out. For those looking for a fast-paced, dramatic survival game, Hellapagos is an excellent choice.

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