The Abandons (2019) Board Game

The Abandons is a solo board game that was released in 2019 by designer Michael T Schroeder. It falls under the categories of card game, fantasy, and maze, with gameplay mechanics including open drafting and push your luck.

Game Components of The Abandons

50 cards, including location tiles, item cards, and choice cards

A tiny rulebook

The game is highly portable, coming in a very small box.

How To Setup The Abandons

Setting up The Abandons is quick and straightforward. Players start at the entrance of the labyrinth, represented by a starting card. The rulebook provides a brief narrative to set the atmosphere, but the actual gameplay begins immediately after shuffling the deck and drawing the initial cards. The game grows as you play, with players adding cards to the labyrinth map as they progress.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Solo Gameplay: Designed for single-player experience.

Card Laying: Players lay down location tiles to build the labyrinth.

Choice Cards: Players make decisions on which exit to take, marked by diamonds indicating the number of cards to draw.

Item Cards: Can be used as a Map to peek at future cards, a Bomb to blast through dead-ends, or a Magic Mirror to return to the start.

Objective: Navigate through the labyrinth and find the exit card.

Dungeon Generation: Can be used as a tool for generating paths or dungeons in RPGs like Dungeons and Dragons.

Player Experience

Playing The Abandons is a relatively light and fast-paced experience. The game is easy to carry and set up, making it perfect for quick solo sessions. However, the game’s randomness can make it feel somewhat automatic, with the outcome often dependent on luck rather than strategic decision-making. Players have to make choices about which paths to take and how to use item cards, but these decisions may not always feel impactful or rewarding.

Pros

Portable and Quick Setup: Easy to carry and set up.

Solo Friendly: No need to find other players.

Versatile: Can be combined with other sets to increase difficulty and used as an RPG tool.

Inspired Art: Artwork inspired by a popular retro video game series.

Cons

High Randomness: Game outcome heavily dependent on luck.

Limited Decision Impact: Decisions on item usage and path selection may not feel very rewarding.

Simple Mechanics: May feel too light or automatic for some players.

Personal Thoughts on The Abandons

The Abandons is ideal for players who enjoy solo experiences, are looking for a portable and quick game, and appreciate a bit of randomness in their gameplay. It’s particularly suited for fans of dungeon crawlers and those who need a tool for generating labyrinthine paths in their RPG adventures. However, players seeking a game with deep strategic elements or a strong sense of accomplishment may find The Abandons lacking in those areas.

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