Mount Everest (2013) Board Game

Mount Everest Board Game, released in 2013, is a strategic board game designed by Bartek Fedyczak and Jarek Nocoń. The game is set in the world of mountaineering and challenges players to navigate the treacherous terrain of Mount Everest.

Game Components of Mount Everest

120 cards (59 x 92mm)

Player boards for managing guides and equipment

Risk tokens

Weather tokens

Acclimatisation deck

Tents and oxygen tanks

Tourist and rich climber tokens

Movement point cards

How To Setup Mount Everest

To set up the game, each player starts by selecting two immortal guides. Each player receives an identical deck of cards representing movement points. The game board is set up with the mountain terrain, and the risk tokens, weather tokens, and other components are placed according to the rules. Players decide how to distribute their guides’ loads, choosing between carrying oxygen tanks, tents, amateur climbers, or rich tourists.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics:

Hand Management: Players select 3 cards from a hand of 6 to determine their movement points for the round.

Resource Management: Players must manage oxygen levels, equipment, and the number of climbers they can carry.

Risk-Taking: The player choosing the highest number of upwards movement cards must take a risk token, which can negatively affect their turn.

Weather Effects: A 3-day weather forecast influences gameplay, with each day’s weather affecting different altitudes of the mountain.

Acclimatisation: Guides can use tents and oxygen tokens to increase climbers’ oxygen levels and move them up the acclimatisation track.

Game Objective:

The objective is to guide tourists and amateur climbers to the top of Mount Everest and back down to base camp, maximizing victory points while avoiding penalties for climber deaths.

Player Experience

Playing Mount Everest can be a complex and sometimes frustrating experience. The game demands careful planning and resource management, as players need to balance the risks of climbing quickly against the need to keep their climbers alive. The random elements of card draws and weather can make the game feel unpredictable and sometimes unfair, especially when bad luck leads to climber deaths and severe penalties.

Pros

Thematic Depth: The game captures the thematic challenges of climbing Mount Everest, including acclimatisation, weather, and resource management.

Strategic Choices: Players must make strategic decisions about how to allocate their guides’ resources and manage risks.

Realistic Simulation: The game reflects the real-life risks and challenges faced by climbers on Mount Everest.

Cons

Complexity: The game can be confusing for new players due to its intricate mechanics and multiple components.

Luck-Dependent: The outcome can be heavily influenced by luck in card draws and weather conditions, which may feel unfair.

Repetitive Gameplay: The game can become repetitive as players often find themselves waiting in tents for better weather conditions.

Personal Thoughts on Mount Everest

Mount Everest is a game best suited for experienced board game enthusiasts who enjoy complex strategy and resource management. It is not ideal for casual players due to its steep learning curve and the potential for frustration from luck-based outcomes. However, for those who appreciate a challenging and thematic game, Mount Everest offers a unique and engaging experience that simulates the high-stakes adventure of climbing the world’s highest mountain.

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