Rosetta: The Lost Language (2020) Board Game

Rosetta: The Lost Language is a board game released in 2020, designed by Micaela Dawn and published by Story Machine Games. The game is set in ancient times and challenges players to decipher lost languages through cooperative gameplay and deduction.

Game Components of Rosetta: The Lost Language

Inscription cards with a fictional script

Location cards providing context

Meaning cards where the author writes the inscription’s meaning

Ability Cards that are double-sided and provide additional hints

Guess Cards for the experts to submit their guesses

Fragment cards allowing partial translations

How To Setup Rosetta: The Lost Language

To set up the game, one player becomes the **Author** and the rest are **Experts**. The Author shuffles the Location and Inscription decks, revealing one card from each. The Author then chooses a side of the Inscription card to be “up” and decides on the meaning based on the Location and Inscription, writing it on the Meaning card. The Author also draws two Ability Cards, which remain in play throughout the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay: The Experts work together to guess the meaning of the Inscription. They submit a word or phrase, and the Author translates it into the fictional script, providing clues.

Guessing: The Experts have 10 rounds to guess the meaning correctly.

Abilities: The Ability Cards guide the Author to provide additional clues or hints.

Fragments: The Author can translate a part of the Inscription to help the Experts.

Objective: The Experts aim to guess the meaning correctly in as few attempts as possible, with the lowest score being the goal.

Player Experience

The game offers a light, simple, and fun experience, with a learning curve that allows players to grasp the rules within 15 minutes. It is highly recommended for groups of 3 or more players to enhance the cooperative aspect and foster healthy debates among the Experts. The game’s open-ended nature ensures good replay value, as the Author’s creativity in setting the meaning and context varies each time.

Pros

Replay Value: Open-ended cards ensure high replayability.

Abstract Thinking: Encourages abstract thought and problem-solving.

Portable: The game’s small box size makes it easy to carry.

Cooperative: Fosters teamwork and collaboration among players.

Remote Play: Supports remote play, allowing players to send pictures back and forth via chat.

Cons

Learning Curve: The first play can be challenging, especially for a new Author.

Group Dependence: The game’s success can be heavily dependent on the group’s dynamics and ability to work together.

Deliberation Time: With more players, deliberations can lengthen the game time.

Limited Steering: There aren’t many ways to steer the guessers back on track if they are completely off.

Personal Thoughts on Rosetta: The Lost Language

**Rosetta: The Lost Language** is ideal for puzzle enthusiasts who enjoy abstract thinking and cooperative gameplay. It is particularly suited for language nerds, fans of deduction and investigation, and those looking for a unique filler game that can be played both locally and remotely. While it may not appeal to everyone due to its learning curve and group dependence, it offers a fresh and engaging experience that can elevate your cooperative gaming sessions.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.