Karuba (2015) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Karuba is a tile-laying board game designed by Rüdiger Dorn and released in in 2015. It is a game of exploration and puzzle-solving where players race to reach hidden temples deep in the jungle. The game has received critical acclaim for its simple yet engaging gameplay mechanics.

Game Components of Karuba

Boards: Each player has a rectangular 5×6 grid board representing the jungle.

Tiles: 36 numbered jungle tiles with roads and potential gems or gold nuggets.

Explorers: Four colored meeples (adventurers) for each player.

Temples: Four colored temples matching the explorers.

Gems: Plastic gems representing gold nuggets and precious jewels.

Victory Point Medallions: Tokens for scoring.

How To Setup Karuba

To set up Karuba, each player lays out their board with four explorers on the beach and four temples in the jungle, ensuring that each explorer and its corresponding temple are at least three spaces apart. All but one player arrange their tiles face-up around their board in numerical order. The remaining player mixes their tiles face-down and acts as the “caller” for the game. This setup ensures all players have an identical starting position.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Tile Placement: Players simultaneously place the same tile on their board as called by the “caller.”

Path Building: Tiles are used to build roads to connect explorers to their matching temples.

Movement: Players can discard tiles to gain movement points to move their explorers.

Gem Collection: Tiles with gems are placed on the board, and explorers collect gems when they stop on those tiles.

Scoring: Points are awarded for reaching temples (higher points for the first player to reach each temple) and collecting gems and gold nuggets. The game ends when all tiles are used or one player has all their explorers at their temples. The player with the most points wins.

Player Experience

Playing Karuba is a relatively solitary experience, as players focus on their own boards with minimal interaction with opponents. The game is characterized by its quick setup and playtime, making it an excellent family option. The simultaneous tile placement mechanic keeps the game moving at a good pace, and the random drawing of tiles ensures each game is unique and fresh. Despite its lightweight nature, Karuba offers enough puzzle-solving to entertain seasoned gamers while remaining accessible to new players.

Pros

Quick Setup and Playtime: Games are typically completed in about 35 minutes.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players aged 7+ and easy to teach.

High Replayability: Random tile drawing ensures each game is different.

Satisfying Gameplay: Players enjoy the tactile experience of placing tiles and collecting gems.

Accessible Complexity: Balances simplicity with strategic depth.

Cons

Initial Tile Organization: Sorting tiles before the game can be boring.

Limited Interaction: Players mainly focus on their own boards with minimal opponent interaction.

Luck Factor: Timing of tile draws can affect gameplay, though it feels less luck-dependent than it is.

Personal Thoughts on Karuba

Karuba is an excellent choice for families and new board game enthusiasts due to its simplicity and quick playtime. It is also appealing to seasoned gamers who enjoy route-building and optimization challenges. The game’s ability to balance complexity with accessibility makes it a great addition to any gaming collection. While it may not be as complex as some other titles, Karuba’s engaging gameplay and satisfying experience ensure it will be pulled off the shelf frequently.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.