Land vs Sea (2021) Board Game

Land vs Sea is a board game released in 2021 by designer Jon-Paul Jacques and published by Good Games Publishing. The game is set in a medieval world where players must strategically build territories on a hexagon grid map to outmaneuver their opponents.

Game Components of Land vs Sea

Starting map tile

Volcano/Whirlpool tile

58 map tiles

2 player scoring aids

7 wooden discs (3 land, 3 sea, 1 cartographer)

1 scoreboard

Instructions

How To Setup Land vs Sea

To set up **Land vs Sea**, players first determine who will be the Land player and who will be the Sea player using scoring disks. The Starting tile is placed in the center of the game area, and the Volcano/Whirlpool tiles are set aside. The bottom half of the box serves as the scoring area, with the scoring tokens placed on the “0” space. Players then shuffle the remaining tiles and create two equal-sized draw piles. Each player draws two tiles to start their hand.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Tile Placement: Players take turns placing one tile from their hand adjacent to existing tiles, matching land to land and sea to sea.

Actions: Some tiles feature special actions: Play Again or Steal a Tile.

Scoring: Players score points for completed land or sea areas, with the player who closes an area earning bonus points.

Volcano/Whirlpool: These tiles are used when a hole in the map is completely surrounded by either land or sea, adding bonus points.

Trade Routes: Certain tiles create trade routes, scoring immediate points and additional points at the end of the game based on majority control.

Game End: The game ends when all tiles are played, and the player with the most points wins.

Player Experience

**Land vs Sea** is a game that balances simplicity with strategy, making it accessible yet challenging. Players must strategically place tiles to complete their areas while hindering their opponents. The game’s design forces players to help their opponent, creating a unique spatial puzzle. Each turn requires careful planning, as players need to consider both their own scoring opportunities and the impact on their opponent’s chances.

Pros

Simple Rules: Easy to learn with few rules to worry about.

Strategic Depth: Requires tactical thinking and planning.

Competitive: Players are constantly interacting on the same map, making it highly competitive.

Variants: Includes three and four-player variants, adding flexibility.

Cons

Length: The game can feel a bit long, especially with more players.

Limited Innovation: Does not significantly differ from other tile-laying games.

Analysis Paralysis: Can lead to prolonged turns as players consider their moves carefully.

Three-Player Mode: The Cartographer role in the three-player mode is often seen as less engaging.

Personal Thoughts on Land vs Sea

**Land vs Sea** is ideal for fans of tile-laying and puzzle games. It is particularly enjoyable as a two-player game, where the strategic interplay is most pronounced. While it may not innovate significantly within the genre, it offers a fun and competitive experience with a good balance between accessibility and strategic depth. However, the three-player mode and the potential for analysis paralysis might deter some players. Overall, it is a solid addition to any collection of tile-laying games.

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