Oltréé (2021) Board Game
Oltréé is a cooperative board game designed by Antoine Bauza and John Grümph, known for their work on popular games such as 7 Wonders and Dungeon Twister. The game was released in 2021 by Studio H and features stunning artwork by Vincent Dutrait. Set in a fantasy medieval world, Oltréé challenges players to work together to overcome various scenarios and missions while engaging in immersive storytelling.
## Game Components of Oltréé
– **Chronicle storybooks**: Six independent Chronicles that provide the overarching story structure.
– **Ranger tokens**: Eight individuated wooden Ranger tokens.
– **Dice**: Beautifully veneered wooden dice.
– **Resources**: Custom wooden goods and resources.
– **Incident and Problem cards**: Multiple decks of cards with varied challenges.
– **Fortress components**: Building pieces for constructing and managing the fortress.
– **Adversity marker**: A tracker for advancing the game’s adversity level.
## How To Setup Oltréé
To set up Oltréé, players first choose one of the six provided Chronicle storybooks, which sets the narrative and main goals for the game. Each player selects a Ranger token, each with unique professions, abilities, and health. The game board is arranged with the fortress and surrounding areas, and the necessary cards and components are shuffled and placed within reach. The Adversity marker is set at the starting position, and players are given their initial assignments and resources.
## Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
– **Rolling the Adversity die**: The active player rolls a die to advance the Adversity marker, triggering events, incidents, or problems in the kingdom.
– **Player actions**: Players can move, claim resources, build within the fortress, and address problems or incidents, often resolved by rolling dice.
– **Completing assignments**: Players work to complete their assigned tasks as dictated by their hierarchy.
– **Managing the fortress**: Keeping the Prestige and Defense of the fortress intact is crucial.
– **Facing incidents and events**: Players encounter various incidents and events that require resolution, adding to the narrative and challenge.
– **Objective**: The primary goal is to complete the chosen Chronicle by achieving the assigned tasks and maintaining the fortress’s integrity.
## Player Experience
Players take on the roles of brave Rangers tasked with protecting and rebuilding a satrapy following the dissolution of the Empire. The game is characterized by its straightforward mechanics, allowing players to focus on the narrative experience. Each game session unfolds a unique story due to the randomized Chronicle, incidents, and problems. The game’s components, particularly the artwork by Vincent Dutrait and the writing, enhance the immersive experience. However, some players may find the game too long and the outcomes too dependent on luck rather than strategic planning.
### Pros
– **Excellent component quality**: High-quality wooden dice, resources, and Ranger tokens.
– **Diverse characters**: Each Ranger has unique abilities and health.
– **Variable incidents**: Incident cards offer varied and engaging challenges.
– **Interactive puzzle**: Managing the fortress and aiding different regions is highly interactive.
– **Immersive storytelling**: The Chronicle and incident cards create a vivid narrative experience.
### Cons
– **Typos and errors**: Minor translation issues and typos can disrupt immersion.
– **Luck-based outcomes**: Many actions rely on dice rolls, reducing the impact of strategic planning.
– **Static main storyline**: While each short chronicle feels novel, the main storyline remains somewhat static.
– **No reference card**: Lack of a reference card for action overview can be inconvenient.
## Personal Thoughts on Oltréé
Oltréé is ideal for players who enjoy cooperative games with a strong narrative focus. It is particularly suited for those who appreciate straightforward mechanics that do not overshadow the storytelling. While it may not be the best fit for players seeking deep strategic complexity, it offers a engaging and immersive experience for those who enjoy interactive storytelling and cooperative gameplay.
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