The 7th Continent (2017) Board Game

The 7th Continent is a cooperative adventure board game that was first released in in 2017. It was created by Ludovic Roudy and features artwork by Serious Poulp. The game has gained a dedicated following due to its unique storytelling elements and immersive gameplay experience.

Game Components of The 7th Continent

849 cards

34 dividers

5 characters and 4 fire standees

8 dice

24-page rule booklet

1 player aid

2 storage trays

Includes three curses: “The Voracious Goddess”, “An Offering to the Guardians”, and “The Bloody Hunt”.

How To Setup The 7th Continent

To set up the game, players start by choosing their characters, each with unique abilities and skills. The game involves creating a map of the 7th Continent using terrain cards, and each player receives a starting hand of action cards. The curses, which are the main scenarios, are introduced with a vague directive on how to lift them. Players can progress at their preferred pace and use the save system to pause and restart the game where they left off.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Category: Cooperative, campaign-style adventure game

Mechanics: Card management, resource management, exploration, push-your-luck

Objective: Lift the curse afflicting the player by exploring the 7th Continent, crafting items, hunting, and using environmental advantages.

Gameplay:
– Players explore a map built from terrain cards.
– Use action cards to perform actions, which reduce the action deck size; when the deck runs out, players are likely to die.
– Gain experience points to acquire new skills.
– Each card contains narrative text describing locations, events, and encounters.

Player Experience

The 7th Continent offers a deeply immersive experience with its rich narrative and extensive gameplay. Players take on the roles of explorers returning from an expedition to a mysterious land, only to find themselves cursed and needing to return to lift the curse. The game is filled with random events and multiple possible outcomes, ensuring each playthrough is unique. However, the game is a significant time commitment, with each scenario lasting 10-20 hours. The save system allows for pauses and restarts, making it manageable to play in sessions over time.

Pros

High Replayability: Unique experiences due to random events and multiple outcomes.

Deep Narrative: Each card contains rich narrative text, enhancing the immersion.

Flexible Gameplay: Can be played solo or cooperatively with up to four players.

Save System: Allows for pausing and restarting the game at any point.

Awards: Winner of the 2017 Swiss Gamers Award and 2017 Board Game Quest Awards Best Card Game.

Cons

Time-Consuming: Scenarios can last 10-20 hours.

Complex Setup: Requires careful setup and management of components.

Potential for Grinding: Later scenarios can feel formulaic and less directed, leading to a grinding experience.

Personal Thoughts on The 7th Continent

The 7th Continent is ideal for players who enjoy deep, narrative-driven games and are willing to commit significant time to each playthrough. It’s perfect for fans of adventure books and those who appreciate the “choose-your-own-path” style of gameplay. However, it may not be the best fit for players looking for quick, casual gaming sessions. The game’s complexity and time requirement make it more suited for dedicated gamers who can appreciate its extensive and immersive world.

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