Outback (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Outback is a board game released in 2018, designed by Michael Kiesling and published by HUCH! The game revolves around the theme of animals in the Australian outback and incorporates dice rolling, pattern building, set collection, and tile placement mechanics.

Game Components of Outback

Animal tiles

Player boards

Dice (six-sided, each showing one of five animals and a joker)

Bonus tiles

Bonus tokens

Objective tiles (for the advanced game)

Jeep space

How To Setup Outback

To set up Outback, five animal tiles are drawn from the bag and placed on the open spaces on the jeep. Each player starts with their animal scoring markers on the -3 space on their player board and has their own set of bonus tiles, one for each animal in the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Dice Rolling: Players roll six dice, with the option to keep or re-roll any dice up to three times per turn.

Animal Placement: Players aim to collect dice matching the animals in the jeep to place them on their player board.

Bonus Points: Bonus points are awarded for placing three animals of the same type in the habitat.

Penalty Tiles: If a player cannot place any animal, they must draw a tile and place it face down on their board, worth -2 points at the end.

Game End: The game ends when one player fills all spaces on their board, or optionally when all players finish.

Advanced Game (Outback Plus): Includes additional dice, objective tiles, and a larger player board with seven rows.

Player Experience

Outback is a game that balances luck and strategy, primarily through dice rolling and strategic animal placement. In the base game, it lacks direct player interaction, making it more of a solitaire puzzle. However, the advanced game introduces objective tiles that add a competitive element, allowing players to compete for specific bonuses.

Pros

Simple to Learn: Easy mechanics make it accessible to a wide range of players.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for families and casual gamers.

Strategic Depth: The game offers a good balance between luck and strategy.

Competitive Element: The advanced game adds a fun competitive layer with objective tiles.

Cons

Limited Interaction: The base game lacks direct player interaction.

Luck-Based: Dice rolls can significantly influence the outcome.

Repetitive: Some players might find the gameplay repetitive.

Personal Thoughts on Outback

Outback is ideal for families, casual gamers, and those who enjoy light strategy games. The game’s simple setup and rules make it a great introduction to board games, while the advanced version adds enough complexity to keep experienced players engaged. However, players seeking high levels of player interaction or complex strategies might find it less satisfying.

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