Lost Ruins of Arnak (2020) Board Game

Lost Ruins of Arnak is a board game released in 2020 by Czech Games Edition. Designed by Elwen and Mín, this game takes players on an adventure to discover ancient ruins and explore mysterious islands. With stunning artwork by Ondřej Hrdina, Jiří Kůs, Filip Murmak, and Jakub Politzer, players are immersed in a fantasy world filled with intrigue and discovery.

Game Components of Lost Ruins of Arnak

Main Board: Double-sided for different difficulty levels (Bird Temple and Snake Temple).

Player Boards: Four double-sided boards for each player.

Supply Board: Double-sided board for resources and components.

Cards: 110 cards, including starter cards, fear cards, item cards, and artifact cards.

Tokens and Pieces:
– Wooden archaeologists (8)
– Wooden research tokens (8)
– Site tiles (16)
– Idol tiles (16)
– Guardian tiles (15)
– Assistant tiles (12)
– Research reward tiles (18)
– Temple tiles (24)
– Blocking tiles (5)
– Rival action tiles (15)
– Cardboard coin tokens (27)
– Cardboard compass tokens (27)
– Plastic tablet tokens (16)
– Plastic arrowhead tokens (12)
– Plastic jewel tokens (9)
– Fear tiles (10)
– Starting player marker (1)
– Cardboard moon staff (1)
– Quick reference sheets (4)
– Rulebook (1).

How To Setup Lost Ruins of Arnak

To set up the game, start by unfolding the main board and placing it on either the Bird Temple side (easy) or the Snake Temple side (advanced). Separate the cards by type and shuffle the Artifact and Item cards to form their respective decks. Each player receives a player board, two archaeologist pawns, a notebook token, and a magnifying glass token in their chosen color. Players also get two fear cards and their starting deck of six cards, which includes four starter cards. The moon staff is placed between the artifact and item card decks, acting as a game timer. Resources and tokens are placed in their designated areas on the board. Finally, determine the starting player and distribute starting resources based on player order.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Rounds: The game is played over five rounds.

Actions Per Turn: Players can choose from seven actions:

Dig at a Site: Activate a discovered dig site with a meeple.

Play a Card: Use cards for their effects or icons.

Overcome Guardians: Defeat guardians to gain rewards.

Explore: Discover new sites.

Research: Advance on the research track for bonuses and victory points.

Assist: Use assistants for various benefits.

Rest: Pass and prepare for the next round.

Objective: The goal is to earn the most points by collecting resources, artifacts, and advancing in research, while overcoming guardians and managing fear cards.

Player Experience

Lost Ruins of Arnak offers a rich and thematic experience, with high-quality components and clear, well-designed iconography. The game’s artwork is fantastical and engaging, making the exploration of the mysterious island immersive. The game’s balance between worker placement and deck-building mechanics provides a lot of tactical depth, with each setup offering unique strategies. The game’s thematic integration, such as using a defeated turtle as a boat icon, adds to the adventure feel.

Pros

Thematic Experience: The game is highly thematic, with actions and rewards that fit well with the exploration theme.

High-Quality Components: Excellent graphic design, thick boards, and tactile components.

Tactical Depth: A unique combination of worker placement and deck-building offers a lot of strategic options.

Variable Setup: Each game setup is unique, encouraging different strategies.

Balanced Gameplay: Well-balanced mechanics ensure a competitive and engaging experience.

Cons

Complexity: The game has a lot of iconography and mechanics, which can be overwhelming for new players.

Setup Time: The setup process can be time-consuming due to the numerous components and decks to manage.

Learning Curve: The game requires some time to learn and master its various mechanics.

Personal Thoughts on Lost Ruins of Arnak

Lost Ruins of Arnak is ideal for fans of worker placement and deck-building games who appreciate a strong thematic experience. It is suitable for experienced players who enjoy strategic depth and variability in gameplay. However, new players might find the initial complexity and setup time challenging. Overall, it is a game that rewards strategy and exploration, making it a great addition to any board game collection.

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