Lost Cities: Rivals (2018) Board Game

Lost Cities: Rivals is a standalone game in the Lost Cities series, designed by renowned game designer Reiner Knizia and published by KOSMOS in in 2018. It builds on the success of the original Lost Cities game, offering a new twist on the gameplay with added elements like auctions and bidding.

Game Components of Lost Cities: Rivals

65 Expedition Cards: Values range from 2-10, in five different colors, each with 1 or 2 footprint icons.

Wager Cards: Used to increase the value of expeditions.

Gold Tokens: Necessary for bidding on expedition cards.

First Player Card: Determines the starting player.

Starter Wager Cards: Two in each of the five colors, assigned randomly to players at the start.

How To Setup Lost Cities: Rivals

To set up the game, each player is randomly assigned two starting wager cards of different colors. The remaining starting wager cards are not used. The expedition cards are shuffled and split into four equal-sized decks, with one deck selected to start the game and placed in the middle of the table. The gold coins are distributed evenly among the players, with any remainder left in a central bank.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Auction Mechanic: Players can either flip over the top card of the active deck or start an auction for the cards in the central playing area.

Bidding: Players bid using gold coins; the highest bidder takes the desired cards and can remove one card from the game.

Card Placement: Cards must be placed in ascending numerical order within their respective color rows.

Wagering: Wager cards can be played to start a new row or on top of other wager cards, acting as multipliers for the score.

Scoring: Points are based on the number of footprint icons on the cards, with bonus points for completing sets of at least four number cards.

Game Objective: The player with the most points, earned through footprint icons and wager multipliers, wins the game.

Player Experience

Lost Cities: Rivals offers a lighter and more approachable experience compared to the original Lost Cities. It eliminates the penalty for starting an expedition, making it more forgiving and easier to teach. The game introduces an auction mechanic, which adds a new layer of strategy and player interaction. The game is designed to be family-friendly and suitable for players aged 10 and up, with a playtime of approximately 40 minutes.

Pros

Multiplayer Capability: Supports 2-4 players, unlike the original Lost Cities which is limited to two players.

Easy to Teach: Simple rules and a straightforward setup make it accessible to new players.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players aged 10 and up.

Color-Blind Friendly: Icons on the cards help distinguish the different colors.

Auction Mechanic: Adds a dynamic element of bidding and strategy.

Cons

Less Tension: The absence of negative scoring reduces the tension and strategic depth compared to the original.

Fewer Decision Points: Simplified rules result in fewer decision points and less complexity.

Card Quality: Decent but not spectacular card quality, which may prompt players to sleeve the cards.

Personal Thoughts on Lost Cities: Rivals

Lost Cities: Rivals is ideal for those looking for a more casual and accessible addition to the Lost Cities series. It is perfect for game nights and travel due to its compact size and easy-to-learn mechanics. While it may lack the depth and tension of the original, it offers a fun and interactive experience that is great for families and new gamers. However, fans of the original may find it less engaging due to its simplified rules and lack of negative scoring.

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