Sojourn (2019) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Sojourn is a solo/solitaire board game designed by M. Wayne Miller and published by Wyvern Gaming in in 2019. It falls under the science fiction category and is meant for players aged 13 and above. The game features action queue mechanics and has a runtime of 10–20 minutes.

Game Components of Sojourn

Timesphere fragments

Temporal charges

Timestream cards

Destination time period cards

Paradox cards

Lockout cards

Wooden cubes

Traveler meeple (blue or red, though not clearly specified)

Dice

How To Setup Sojourn

To set up Sojourn, the player must first prepare the Timestream deck, which includes various cards that will aid or hinder their journey. The player starts with a handful of temporal charges and a few initial Timestream cards. The timesphere fragments are scattered across different time periods, represented by destination cards. The player must organize these components to reflect the initial state of their time-traveling adventure.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Dice Rolling: Used to determine injury risks when traveling to different time periods.

Card Play: Players use Timestream cards to restore temporal charges, heal, or open new destinations.

Action Queue: Players manage their actions in a sequence to navigate through time.

Game Objective

Collect all timesphere fragments scattered across different time periods.

Reassemble the timesphere to return home.

Manage temporal charges and avoid injuries to survive the journey.

Player Experience

Playing Sojourn can be a repetitive and sometimes frustrating experience. The game involves traveling to multiple destinations, each with its own injury risk, which can lead to quick game overs if not managed carefully. The components, such as the cards, are of poor quality and can be prone to bending and tearing. The lack of a clear inventory in the rulebook adds confusion, making it difficult for players to understand what items are available and how to use them.

Pros

Unique Theme: The game offers a compelling time travel theme.

Solo Play: Designed specifically for solo players, providing a unique experience.

Strategic Depth: Requires strategic thinking to manage resources and risks.

Cons

Poor Component Quality: Thin and easily damaged cards, and lackluster artwork.

Confusing Rulebook: Missing inventory and unclear instructions.

Repetitive Gameplay: The gameplay can feel monotonous and unengaging.

High Injury Risk: Many destinations have high injury risks, making survival challenging.

Personal Thoughts on Sojourn

Sojourn is for players who are enthusiastic about solo games and time travel themes, but it may not be the best fit for everyone due to its several drawbacks. While the premise is intriguing, the execution falls short in terms of component quality and gameplay engagement. It might appeal to those who are willing to overlook these issues for the sake of a unique solo experience, but it is not a must-have for most board game collections.

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