Lost Cities: To Go (2018) Board Game

Lost Cities: To Go is a portable version of the popular two-player card game Lost Cities, designed by Cem Kara and published by KOSMOS. The game was released in 2018, offering players a compact and travel-friendly option to enjoy the strategic gameplay of the original game.

Game Components of Lost Cities

60-card deck

5 color-coded expeditions (Himalayas, Brazilian Rain Forest, Desert Sands, Ancient Volcanos, and Neptune’s Realm)

15 Wager cards (3 of each color)

Game board (optional)

Rule booklet.

How To Setup Lost Cities

To set up the game, each player starts with 8 cards distributed at random. The remaining cards are placed in a draw pile beside the board. The game board, which is optional, depicts five routes for the expeditions. Players place their drawn cards or discards on this board according to the color-coded columns.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Turn: Each turn, a player must either play a card on one of their expedition columns or discard a card face up on the board.

Expedition Progress: Cards must be played in increasing order within each color-coded expedition.

Wager Cards: Agreement cards can be played at the beginning of an expedition to double the score, but can also exacerbate losses if the expedition is not successful.

Game End: The game ends after three rounds or when the draw pile is depleted. The player with the highest total score wins.

Scoring: Each expedition started incurs an initial penalty (-20 points), and points are awarded based on the progress made. Unfinished expeditions result in negative points.

Player Experience

Playing **Lost Cities** involves strategic thinking and calculated risk-taking. Players must decide whether to start a new expedition, knowing it may not be completed, or discard cards that could be useful to their opponent. The game’s design creates tension through the limited decision space and the unpredictability of the card draw. Players need to balance the potential gains and losses of each expedition, making the game engaging and challenging.

Pros

Simple to Learn: The rules are straightforward, making it accessible to new players.

Strategic Depth: Despite its simplicity, the game requires strategic thinking and planning.

Portable: The game can be played with just the cards, making it highly portable.

High Replayability: Each game is unpredictable due to the luck of the draw, offering many different scenarios.

Cons

Luck-Dependent: The game involves a significant amount of luck, which can be frustrating for some players.

Limited Control: Players often feel punished by the game’s mechanics, with decisions feeling like choosing the least bad option rather than making an expert move.

Replay Value Limitations: After several plays, the game may lose some of its appeal due to the limited number of strategic options.

Personal Thoughts on Lost Cities

**Lost Cities** is ideal for those who enjoy strategic card games with a mix of luck and planning. It is a great choice for couples, friends, or family members looking for a quick and engaging game. However, it may not be the best fit for players who prefer games with more control over the outcome or those seeking complex, long-term strategies. The game’s balance of tension and unpredictability makes it a compelling addition to any board game collection, but it is essential to appreciate the inherent luck and risk involved in playing it.

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