Survive: Escape from Atlantis! (1982) Board Game

Survive: Escape from Atlantis! is a classic board game that was first released in 1982 by Parker Brothers. It was designed by Julian Courtland-Smith and has since become a beloved game among fans of adventure and strategy. The game revolves around players trying to escape from the sinking island of Atlantis while also trying to sabotage their opponents in order to be the last one standing.

Game Components of Survive: Escape from Atlantis!

Island Tiles: 40 hexagonal tiles depicting different terrains (beaches, forests, and mountains).

Villagers/Meeples: 10 pieces per player, each with a hidden point value (1 to 6) engraved on the bottom.

Boats: For transporting villagers to safety.

Sea Creatures: Sharks, whales, sea serpents, and dolphins that can either harm or help villagers.

Dice/Spinner: Used to control the movement of sea creatures.

How To Setup Survive: Escape from Atlantis!

At the start, the island tiles are shuffled and arranged to form the island of Atlantis. Each player sets up their tribe (villagers) on the island, following the rule that sandy beach tiles can only start with one villager per tile. Boats are placed in the sea adjacent to the island. In a two-player game, there are two boats, while in a three- or four-player game, there are four boats.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Turns: Each turn involves moving villagers, sinking one island tile, and rolling the dice or spinning the spinner to control sea creatures.

Villager Movement: Villagers can move on land, swim, or use boats to reach safety.

Sinking Island: The island tiles are removed in a specific order (beaches, forests, mountains), simulating the sinking of the island.

Sea Creatures: Players can use sea creatures to hinder their opponents’ progress by killing or displacing their villagers.

Game End: The game ends when all villagers are either safe on the coral islands, dead, or when the volcano tile is revealed, triggering the final explosion.

Objective: The player who saves the most valuable set of villagers, based on the hidden point values, wins the game.

Player Experience

**Survive: Escape from Atlantis** offers a thrilling and cutthroat experience, especially with more experienced players. The game is simple to learn but challenging to master, with a significant luck factor due to the unknown point values of the villagers and the random movements of sea creatures. This unpredictability makes the game exciting and often darkly humorous, as players sabotage each other’s plans and face unexpected challenges.

Pros

Engaging Theme: The game’s theme of escaping a sinking island is both thematic and engaging.

Simple yet Strategic: Easy to learn but with enough depth for strategic play.

High Replayability: The random tile placement and hidden point values ensure each game is different.

Family and Gamer Friendly: Suitable for both family gatherings and competitive gaming groups.

Cons

Luck Factor: The game involves a significant amount of luck, which can be frustrating for some players.

Expansion Balance: Adding more players with expansions can slightly imbalance the game.

Personal Thoughts on Survive: Escape from Atlantis!

**Survive: Escape from Atlantis** is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a fun, competitive, and thematic board game. It appeals to both casual and experienced gamers, making it a great addition to any game collection. While it may not be perfect for those who dislike luck-based elements, it offers a unique and entertaining experience that keeps players coming back for more.

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