Nemo’s War (2009) Board Game

Nemo’s War is a board game released in 2009, designed by Tim Allen and published by Victory Point Games. It is a solo adventure game based on Jules Verne’s classic novel, “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,” where players take on the role of Captain Nemo commanding the Nautilus submarine.

Game Components of Nemo’s War

A sprawling six-fold board serving as a player aid and map of the world’s seas.

White and black dice for determining ship placements and Action Points.

Ship tokens, including hidden and revealed vessels.

Adventure cards that advance the story and introduce new challenges.

Action Cost Table and Action Table for managing actions and outcomes.

Notoriety track and Jolly Roger token to monitor Nemo’s reputation.

Motivation tiles for Science, Exploration, Anti-Imperialism, and War.

Treasures and upgrade components for the Nautilus.

How To Setup Nemo’s War

To set up the game, the player starts by choosing a motivation for Nemo, which influences the scoring and game objectives. This choice fills the scoring space on the board and alters the multipliers for end-game scoring. The board is then seeded with unknown ship tokens in various oceans. A draw pile of Adventure cards is constructed based on the chosen motivation, including ‘Act’ cards that progress the story and add tension. Treasures are placed in major oceans, and the Nautilus is positioned in a randomly chosen ocean to begin the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Turn Sequence: Each turn involves revealing an Adventure card, rolling dice for ship placements and Action Points, and then taking actions such as Searching, Resting, Repairing, Refitting, Inciting, Adventuring, and Attacking.

Ship Placement: Dice rolls determine where ship tokens are added to the board, with a progression from hidden to revealed ships and potential overflow to other seas.

Action Points: Calculated from the difference between white dice rolls, these points are used to perform various actions listed on the Action Table.

Exertion Mechanics: Players can exert resources (Nemo, crew, hull) to modify dice rolls, adding a layer of strategy to mitigate luck.

Notoriety Track: Managing Nemo’s reputation is crucial; excessive notoriety leads to game loss.

Game Objective: The goal is to survive the pressures and challenges until the Finale card is revealed, then face a final test to determine the game’s outcome and calculate the score based on Nemo’s chosen motivation.

Player Experience

**Nemo’s War** offers a deeply immersive solo experience, with a mix of luck and strategic planning. Players must balance resource management, ship placements, and action choices to keep Nemo and his crew safe while achieving their objectives. The game is known for its thematic depth and the satisfaction of exploring the world’s oceans, inciting rebellions, and uncovering treasures. Each game can take up to 2 hours, providing a medium to heavy gaming experience.

Pros

Thematic Depth: Rich storyline and setting inspired by *Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea*.

Strategic Complexity: Balancing resources, managing notoriety, and making tactical decisions.

Replayability: Multiple motivations and random elements ensure high replay value.

Immersive Solo Experience: Designed specifically for solo players, offering a unique and engaging adventure.

Cons

Luck-Based Mechanics: Heavy reliance on dice rolls can be frustrating for some players.

Complex Rules: Initial setup and rules can be overwhelming, requiring frequent reference to the rulebook.

Time Commitment: Games can take up to 2 hours, which may not be suitable for all players.

Personal Thoughts on Nemo’s War

**Nemo’s War** is ideal for fans of solo board games and those who enjoy a mix of strategy and luck. It is particularly suited for players who appreciate a strong thematic experience and are willing to invest time in understanding and mastering the game’s mechanics. If you’re looking for a game that challenges you to manage resources, make tactical decisions, and explore a rich narrative, **Nemo’s War** is an excellent choice. However, it may not be the best fit for players who prefer quick games or those who are averse to luck-based mechanics.

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