Quicksand (2023) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Quicksand is a real-time cooperative board game released in 2023 by Horrible Guild. Designed by Hjalmar Hach and Lorenzo Silva, this game challenges players to work together to escape a sinking island before it’s too late. With a runtime of 15 minutes and suitable for players aged 8 and above, Quicksand offers a unique and exciting gaming experience.

Game Components of Quicksand

Sand timers: Varying speeds (slow, medium, fast)

Gear tiles: Distinguished by different combinations of shape and color (gray, yellow, orange, moons, circles, squares)

Cards: Each depicts one shape or one color, or a wild symbol

Track tiles: Form a semicircle on the table, including a “Danger Zone”

Promotional items: Additional timers and tokens for increased difficulty

How To Setup Quicksand

To set up the game, lay out the track tiles in a semicircle configuration. Place sand timers on the initial tiles, each with varying amounts of sand. Players are dealt three facedown cards from the deck. The game starts with all timers flipped, and players can then determine their first moves based on the cards they have.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Real-time cooperative gameplay: Players work together to prevent sand timers from running out.

Card play: Players play cards to flip and advance sand timers on matching tiles (shape or color).

Timer movement: Timers move forward one space and flip when a matching card is played.

Danger Zone: The objective is to move all timers into the “Danger Zone” without any running out of sand.

Wild cards: Allow players to move any timer they choose.

Rescue mechanism: Timers that run out can be rescued with a wild card.

Player Experience

Quicksand is a chaotic yet engaging game that demands perfect teamwork. Players must coordinate their card plays strategically to keep the sand timers flowing without running out. The game is relatively short, lasting about 10-12 minutes, but it can be quite stressful as the sand timers tick down. The simple rules make it accessible, but the variable setup scenarios and additional promotional items add depth and replayability.

Pros

High replayability: Over 20 different setup scenarios and additional promotional items.

Simple to learn: Quick to teach and understand.

Engaging teamwork: Encourages strategic coordination among players.

Variability in difficulty: Adjusts the number of timers, track length, and other tokens to spice up the game.

Cons

Real-time stress: Can be overwhelming for some players.

Limited personal preference: May not be the favorite game of the year for those who prefer different game types.

Personal Thoughts on Quicksand

Quicksand is ideal for those who enjoy real-time cooperative games and are looking for a fun, fast-paced experience. It’s perfect for families or groups of friends who can handle the chaotic nature of the game. While it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, it offers a unique blend of strategy and time management that makes it a compelling addition to any board game collection.

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