Lost Temple (2011) Board Game

Lost Temple is a board game designed by Bruno Faidutti and published by White Goblin Games in in 2011. The game involves players exploring a temple filled with traps and treasures, racing to be the first to reach the exit while collecting as many valuable artifacts as possible.

Game Components of Lost Temple

Player meeples: Good quality but prone to falling over when bunched up.

Character cards: 9 friendly characters with unique abilities.

Gem tokens: Used for player progress.

Machete tokens: Essential for navigating Deep Jungle spaces.

Chance tokens: Offer both positive and negative effects.

Board: High-quality artwork, featuring the jungle and Lost Temple locations.

Color cards: Used to identify player colors, though some colors are too similar.

How To Setup Lost Temple

To set up the game, each player is initially dealt one of the 9 character cards, which indicate their starting position, gems, and any machete they might start with. The cards are then handed back to the start player, shuffled, and dealt out face-up or face-down depending on the number of players. Each player selects a card, and the start player announces each character in order, allowing players to reveal their cards, take gems, and perform the actions associated with their characters.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card Drafting: Players select character cards that offer unique abilities.

Variable Phase Order: The order of play can change based on character abilities and chance tokens.

Objective: Be the first player to land on the Lost Temple space on the board. There are two Lost Temple spaces, one for 6-8 players and another for fewer players.

Player Experience

Lost Temple is known for its quick player turns and high level of direct player interaction, which fosters a fun and interactive atmosphere. The game encourages banter and strategic thinking, as players must carefully choose and use their characters’ abilities to outwit their opponents. Even with a full group of 8 players, the game remains enjoyable and does not become overly long.

Pros

High Player Interaction: Encourages banter and strategic play.

Unique Characters: Each character has a distinct ability that adds variety to the game.

Quick Turns: Keeps the game pace high.

Good Quality Components: Except for some minor issues with meeple stability and color similarity.

Cons

Meeple Stability: Meeples can fall over when bunched up.

Color Similarity: Some player color cards are too similar.

Downtime: Initial selection of characters can lead to downtime, though this improves with familiarity.

Personal Thoughts on Lost Temple

Lost Temple is ideal for groups looking for a fun, interactive adventure game that combines strategy with social interaction. It’s suitable for a wide range of players, from casual gamers to those who enjoy more strategic gameplay. While it shares some mechanics with games like Citadels, it stands out with its unique character abilities and jungle-themed adventure. If you’re looking for a game that’s easy to learn but offers depth and replayability, Lost Temple is a great choice.

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