Relic Runners (2013) Board Game

Relic Runners is a board game released in 2013, designed by Cyrille Daujean and Julien Delval, and published by Days of Wonder. The game falls under the category of exploration, with players taking on the role of adventurers seeking out ancient relics in a jungle setting. With a mix of network and route building, pick-up and deliver mechanics, along with variable player powers, Relic Runners offers an engaging and strategic gameplay experience.

Game Components of Relic Runners

Game board featuring a jungle map

Explorer tokens and player boards

Resource tokens

Relic tiles

Toolbox cards

Pathway tiles

Victory point tokens

How To Setup Relic Runners

To set up Relic Runners, begin by placing the game board in the middle of the playing area. Each player chooses an explorer token and places it at the central camp on the board. Players receive a player board and a set of starting resource tokens. Shuffle the relic tiles and place them face down on designated spaces on the board. Each player also starts with a basic Toolbox card. The pathway tiles are placed within reach of all players.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Route Building: Players construct pathways through the jungle to reach relic tiles.

Resource Management: Manage resources to build pathways and perform actions.

Set Collection: Collect relics and Toolbox cards to gain victory points.

Pick-up-and-Deliver: Retrieve relics and return them to the central camp.

Objective: The goal is to accumulate the most victory points by collecting and delivering relics, expanding the Explorer’s Toolbox, and building efficient pathways.

Player Experience

In Relic Runners, players embark on an exciting adventure through the jungle, navigating challenging terrain and managing resources carefully. The game is highly strategic, with perfect information that allows players to anticipate and plan their moves meticulously. The game’s mechanics ensure that every decision is crucial, making it a tremendously engaging experience.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Offers deep strategic gameplay with perfect information.

Replayability: High replay value due to the variety of relic tiles and Toolbox cards.

Player Interaction: Encourages strategic planning and competitive gameplay.

Thematic Immersion: The jungle setting and exploration theme are well-integrated into the gameplay.

Cons

Complexity: Can be quite complex, which may deter casual players.

Length: Games can sometimes run longer than expected, especially with more players.

Luck Factor: While strategic, the placement of relic tiles can introduce some randomness.

Personal Thoughts on Relic Runners

Relic Runners is an excellent choice for fans of route-building and strategy games. It is particularly suited for those who enjoy games with deep planning and execution, such as experienced board game enthusiasts. However, due to its complexity, it may not be the best introduction for new players to the world of board games. If you’re looking for a game that challenges your strategic thinking and offers a rich thematic experience, Relic Runners is definitely worth considering.

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