SeaFall (2016) Board Game – Board Game Guys

SeaFall is a legacy-style board game that was released in in 2016. It was designed by a team of talented individuals including Jared Blando, EJ Dela Cruz, Rob Daviau, Jen Santos, and Brian Valeza. The game is set in a fictional world where players take on the roles of different nations exploring the seas, trading goods, and battling for dominance.

Game Components of SeaFall

Game Board: A large, foldable board representing the open sea and various islands.

Player Boards: Customizable boards for each player to manage their ships, advisors, and province.

Ship Miniatures: Tokens representing the players’ ships.

Advisor Cards: Cards that provide various benefits and bonuses.

Island Stickers: Used to expand the game board as new islands are discovered.

Captains Booke: A narrative book containing scenarios and story elements.

Enmity Cards: Cards used in the grudge system to track rivalries between players.

Upgrade Sheets: For improving provinces and leaders.

How To Setup SeaFall

Setting up SeaFall involves preparing the game board, distributing player boards, and initializing each player’s province. Players name their leaders, countries, and ships, adding a personal touch to the game. The Captains Booke and other narrative elements are also introduced during setup. Each player starts with basic resources and ships, ready to begin their maritime adventure.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Exploration: Players explore new islands, discover lost civilizations, and uncover hidden secrets.

Trading: Engage in pickup and deliver gameplay to manage goods and resources.

Combat: Ship-to-ship combat with a grudge system, where enmity cards affect future battles.

Upgrades: Improve ships, hire advisors, and build structures in your province.

Narrative Choices: Make decisions based on scenarios from the Captains Booke, influencing the game world.

Legacy Elements: Permanent changes to the game board and components across multiple play sessions.

Game Objective: Accumulate victory points by exploring, trading, and making strategic decisions to emerge as the most successful province.

Player Experience

Playing SeaFall is an immersive experience filled with surprises and emotional rollercoasters. The game begins with a prologue that sets the stage for the campaign, where players build a connection with their leaders and provinces. However, this connection is soon disrupted as the game introduces dramatic plot twists, including the death of the initial leader and the revelation that the world is flat, leading to an apocalyptic climax. The game’s storytelling is enhanced by the customization of characters, ships, and islands, making each player’s experience unique.

Pros

High Customization: Players can name and customize various elements, adding to the narrative.

Engaging Storyline: The game features a rich, evolving storyline with unexpected twists.

Legacy Elements: Permanent changes keep the game fresh across multiple sessions.

Strategic Depth: Combines exploration, trading, and combat mechanics.

Cons

Emotionally Challenging: Plot twists can be emotionally jarring and feel unfair.

Complexity: The game’s rules and mechanics can be overwhelming.

Punitive Mechanics: Certain events, like the penalties for having colonies, can feel detrimental to gameplay.

Personal Thoughts on SeaFall

SeaFall is for players who enjoy deep, storytelling-driven games with complex mechanics. It is ideal for those who appreciate the legacy game format, where decisions have lasting impacts. However, it may not be suitable for players who prefer straightforward, predictable gameplay or those who are easily frustrated by significant plot twists and punitive mechanics. If you enjoy games that challenge and surprise you, SeaFall could be an exciting addition to your gaming collection.

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