Monster Expedition (2020) Board Game

Monster Expedition is a board game released in 2020 that takes players on a thrilling adventure through a fantasy world filled with monsters and treasures. Designed by Dennis Lohausen, Michael Menzel, and Oliver Schlemmer, this game is all about exploration, dice rolling, and pushing your luck to uncover hidden secrets.

Game Components of Monster Expedition

Game board

Dice (various colors and types)

Camp cards

Monster cards

Wilderness display cards

Monster trader card

Supply camps

Cages

Victory point tokens

Player sets (I, II, III, IV)

How To Setup Monster Expedition

To set up the game, place the game board in the middle of the table and the box lid next to it to roll the dice. Start the wilderness display by placing the six starting monsters and the monster trader next to the board. Shuffle the remaining cards and create a face-down draw deck, depending on the number of players (27 cards for 2 players, 35 for 3, and 41 for 4). Reveal the top three cards from the draw deck and add them to the wilderness display. Sort the supply camps into player sets and determine the starting player based on who is the “wildest.”

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics:

Dice Rolling

Area Control

Resource Management

Variable Player Powers

Game Objective:

Players aim to outscore each other by capturing the most valuable monsters.

Each turn consists of four phases: Pick a camp, Hunt monsters, Improve your camp, and Refill the wilderness display.

Players use dice to hunt monsters and improve their camps, which can increase the number of dice available for future hunts.

The game ends when players have collected and caged the most valuable monsters, with victory points determined by the monsters and cages collected.

Player Experience

In Monster Expedition, players are members of the Royal Monstrological Society, tasked with capturing legendary monsters. The game offers a fun and competitive experience as players strategize about which camps to start from, which monsters to hunt, and how to improve their camps to gain better resources. The dice-rolling mechanic adds an element of luck, while the resource management aspect requires careful planning.

Pros

Engaging and competitive gameplay

Easy to learn but challenging to master

Beautifully illustrated game components

Suitable for both casual and experienced gamers

Solo variant available for single-player challenges

Cons

Can be luck-dependent due to dice rolling

Some players might find the setup process a bit lengthy

Limited player interaction in some phases

Personal Thoughts on Monster Expedition

Monster Expedition is perfect for those who enjoy light to medium-weight games with a blend of luck and strategy. It’s an excellent choice for family game nights, casual gaming groups, and even solo players looking for a fun challenge. The game’s theme and artwork are particularly appealing, making it a great addition to any board game collection. However, players seeking deep, complex strategies or intense player interaction might find it less engaging.

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