The A.R.T. Project (2023) Board Game

The A.R.T. Project is a board game designed by Florian Sirieix and Benoit Turpin, with artwork by Vincent Dutrait. It was released in 2023 by Lumberjacks Studio. The game combines elements of dice rolling, card play conflict resolution, chaining, and cooperative gameplay. With a playing time of 40 minutes, The A.R.T. Project is suitable for 1 to 6 players aged 12 and above.

Game Components of The A.R.T. Project

Mission cards: Each player draws two at the beginning of each round, containing resource costs, enemy placements, rewards, and clue symbols.

Map boards: Six unique, folding boards that vary significantly in gameplay due to rules tweaks.

Resource tokens: Jerrycan reserves, weapons, allies, and walkie-talkies.

Clue symbols: Icons on the back of mission cards used to find art pieces.

Art crates: Representing the stolen works of art, these are the main objective to collect.

Player tokens: Flattened chess pieces for player pawns.

Dice: Used for combat, including colored player dice and black ally dice.

White hand tokens: Representing the enemy presence on the map.

How To Setup The A.R.T. Project

To set up the game, players start by preparing the map board, distributing the necessary tokens and cards, and each player receiving their initial resources and mission cards. The game involves a simple yet strategic setup where the mission deck is shuffled, and each player is dealt two mission cards. The map is populated with the initial white hand tokens, and players position their pawns on the starting locations.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mission Card Execution: Players discuss and decide the order of playing their mission cards, each carrying out the actions in sequence (resource cost, enemy placement, reward, and clue symbols).

Resource Management: Players manage common resources such as jerrycan reserves, weapons, allies, and clues collectively.

Combat: Players roll dice to battle white hand agents and protect cities.

Art Collection: Collect three matching clue symbols to place an art crate on the map.

Game Objective: Collect seven art crates before the mission deck runs out, any player dies, three cities are lost, or it becomes impossible to get art.

Player Experience

The A.R.T. Project offers a dynamic cooperative experience where players must communicate effectively to succeed. The game’s lack of visual organization forces players to mentally assess and prioritize their actions, leading to a chaotic yet engaging gameplay. Discussions among players are crucial as they decide the order of mission cards and manage resources to keep cities safe and collect art pieces.

Pros

Engaging Cooperative Gameplay: Encourages teamwork and strategic discussions among players.

Unique Mechanics: Combines card drafting, resource management, and dice rolling in a cohesive manner.

High Replayability: Six unique maps and variable mission cards ensure different experiences each time.

Attractive Components: Beautiful artwork by Vincent Dutrait and high-quality game pieces.

Cons

Theme Integration: The game feels somewhat themeless, as the icons and crates could represent anything other than art.

Player Count Sensitivity: Optimal experience is with 2-3 players; solo mode and higher player counts can be less engaging.

Complexity in Higher Player Counts: Games with more players can become overwhelming due to the increased number of mission cards and discussions.

Personal Thoughts on The A.R.T. Project

The A.R.T. Project is ideal for fans of cooperative board games who enjoy strategic planning and teamwork. It is particularly suited for small to medium-sized groups of players, offering a challenging yet enjoyable experience. While it may lack a strong thematic connection, the game’s mechanics and components make it a solid addition to any board game collection. For those who enjoy games like Pandemic but are looking for something unique, The A.R.T. Project is a great option.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.