Search for the Emperor’s Treasure (1981) Board Game

Search for the Emperor’s Treasure is a board game released in 1981, designed by Darlene and Tom Wham. The game is published by Tactical Studies Rules (TSR) and falls under the categories of Adventure, Economic, Exploration, Fantasy, and Fighting. With a runtime of 60 minutes, the game is suitable for 2 to 10 players, with the best experience for 3 to 4 players, aged 10 and above.

Game Components of Search for the Emperor’s Treasure

Map: A beautifully illustrated map by Darlene Pekul, which is a key component of the game.

Character Roles: Players can choose to be a fighter, elf, cleric, or magician, each with unique backstories.

Counters and Chits: Include arms, treasure, and encounter chits. The counters are notable for their variety and artistic quality.

Dice: Used for resolving encounters and determining outcomes.

Optional Characters: Additional characters like dwarves and “hairfoot” were introduced in later versions.

How To Setup Search for the Emperor’s Treasure

To set up the game, cut out the map from the magazine issue, aligning and taping the overlapping sections together. Cut out the counters, play cards, and other bits, sorting them by type. Place the encounters, arms, and treasure counters into separate containers for drawing. This DIY approach allows players to recreate the game easily.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Movement: Players wander around the board, exploring wilderness and dungeons.

Encounter Resolution: Players draw chits to resolve encounters, which can be beneficial or detrimental.

Collecting Treasure: The primary objective is to collect Imperial Treasures scattered around the map.

Competitive Gameplay: The game ends when a certain number of treasures are found, with the player having the most treasures declared the winner.

Optional Cooperative or Competitive Variants: Players can choose to play cooperatively or with additional rules allowing player vs. player combat.

Player Experience

**Search for the Emperor’s Treasure** offers a fun, lighthearted fantasy adventure that is simple to learn yet engaging. It is praised for its ability to deliver an RPG-like experience in a compact board game format. The game is enjoyable for both younger players and experienced gamers, providing a good introduction to the fantasy adventure genre.

Pros

Engaging and Simple Mechanics: Easy to learn and play, making it accessible to new players.

High Replayability: Various encounters and treasure locations ensure different experiences each game.

Artistic Quality: The map and counters are praised for their aesthetic appeal.

Flexibility in Gameplay: Options for cooperative or competitive play add variety to the game.

Cons

Camping Issue: Players can exploit certain locations with higher treasure find rates, making the game static. This issue is resolved in later versions with the introduction of treasure clue cards.

Limited Depth: The game is described as a “beer and pretzels” game, suggesting it may lack the depth some gamers desire.

Personal Thoughts on Search for the Emperor’s Treasure

**Search for the Emperor’s Treasure** is ideal for those looking for a light, fun, and easy-to-learn fantasy adventure game. It is particularly suitable for younger players or those new to RPG-like games. Experienced gamers will also find it entertaining due to its quirky design and nostalgic value. However, those seeking a game with deep mechanics might find it lacking. Overall, it is a great option for casual gaming sessions and introducing non-D&D players to the fantasy adventure genre.

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