The 7th Continent (2017) – Board Game Guys

The 7th Continent

The 7th Continent is a cooperative board game designed by Ludovic Roudy and Bruno Sautter and was crowdfunded through the Kickstarter platform in 2017. The game is inspired by adventure books, where players can make their own survival decisions, and it features a save system that allows for the game to be paused and re-started where left off. The game is set in a universe where a mysterious land has been discovered off the coast of Antarctica known as the seventh continent. Each player is an explorer who has just returned from the first expedition to the seventh continent, and several other members of this expedition group have disappeared suddenly upon their return.

Why is The 7th Continent Popular?

The game’s popularity stems from its unique Gameplay Mechanics of The 7th Continent, which allow players to explore a vast and dangerous continent while making their own decisions and facing the consequences of their actions. The game’s replayability is also a significant factor in its popularity, as players can progress through the game at their preferred pace and explore different paths and outcomes. The game has won several awards, including the 2017 Swiss Gamers Award and the 2017 Board Game Quest Awards Best Card Game Winner.

Game Components of The 7th Continent

849 cards

34 dividers

5 characters

4 fire standees

8 dice

A 24-page rule booklet

1 player aid

2 storage trays

Terrain and Event cards representing the seventh continent

Action cards for movement and decisions, also representing player health.

How To Setup The 7th Continent

Setting up The 7th Continent involves distributing character cards to each player, each with unique abilities and skills. Players are given a vague directive on how to lift the curse they are under, which serves as the game’s primary objective. The game uses a combination of terrain cards to build the map of the continent and action cards that players use to perform various tasks. The game includes a save system that allows players to pause and restart the game at any point, making it manageable for long play sessions.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Cooperative gameplay for 1 to 4 players

Card-based resource management

Push-your-luck system for resolving challenges

Exploration using terrain cards

Crafting items and managing resources

Using the environment to your advantage

Gaining experience points to acquire new skills

Game Objective

Players must figure out how to lift the curse they are under by exploring the seventh continent.

Each scenario (curse) involves unique challenges and objectives.

Players win by resolving their curse, and the game features multiple possible outcomes due to random events and player choices.

Player Experience

Playing The 7th Continent is an immersive and lengthy adventure, with each scenario spanning 10-20 hours. The game is designed to be played in 2-hour sessions, with the ability to save and resume later. Players enjoy a high level of narrative engagement, with nearly every card containing flavor text that enhances the game’s story. The game’s innovative card system and save mechanism make it easy to manage the extensive gameplay.

Pros

Captures the thrill of adventure through interesting mysteries and strange places to explore

Risk/reward skill check system is compelling without being cumbersome

Lots of variety keeps the game interesting even after multiple playthroughs

Excellent solitaire experience

Innovative card system with unique consequences for player choices

Save system allows for easy pausing and resuming of the game.

Cons

Each scenario is very long, requiring a significant time commitment

Some scenarios may feel formulaic and less engaging compared to others

The game can be slow and vague at times, requiring patience from players.

Personal Thoughts on The 7th Continent

The 7th Continent is ideal for players who enjoy deep, narrative-driven games and are willing to invest significant time into an adventure. It is particularly suited for fans of Choose Your Own Adventure books and those who appreciate the thrill of exploration and survival mechanics. While it can be played with up to four players, it is often more enjoyable with fewer players due to the cooperative nature and the need for cohesive decision-making.

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