The Guild of Merchant Explorers (2022) Board Game

The Guild of Merchant Explorers is a board game released in 2022 by designers Matthew Dunstan and Brett J. Gilbert. Published by Alderac Entertainment Group, this game falls into the adventure, exploration, fantasy, and nautical categories, offering players a unique experience in the world of merchant exploration.

Game Components of The Guild of Merchant Explorers

4 different world maps

Explorer cubes (in various colors)

Village markers

Treasure Tokens

Treasure Cards

Explore cards

Investigation cards

Era cards (I, II, III, and I/II/III)

Objective cards

Coins (for scoring)

A4-sized player maps

Ruins and discovery towers

How To Setup The Guild of Merchant Explorers

To set up the game, each player selects one of the four available world maps and receives their own A4-sized player map, along with the corresponding explorer cubes and Village markers. The explore deck is prepared by adding the initial six known explore cards and the era cards for the first era. Players also draw three random objective cards at the start. The game begins with the queen’s commission to re-explore the lost corners of the empire, re-establish trade routes, and reinvigorate the glory of the empire.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Key Mechanics

Network Building: Players spread out across the map, linking locations.

Simultaneous Action: Players take actions simultaneously based on explore cards.

Investigation Cards: Unique abilities gained through investigation cards.

Era Cards: New cards added to the deck at the start of each era.

Pattern Building: Exploring terrain types and placing cubes on adjacent spaces.

Game Objective

Score the most coins by exploring terrain, establishing trade routes, uncovering ruins, and completing objectives.

Earn coins by exploring hex spaces, creating trade routes between cities, and uncovering beneficial Treasure Cards.

Complete community goals and use Investigation Cards to gain unique advantages.

Player Experience

The game offers a blend of tactical and strategic gameplay, where turns move quickly and decisions are fun and engaging. Players must predict and adapt to the order of the explore cards while leveraging their unique Investigation Cards to forge their own paths. The game has a ‘flip-and-place’ mechanic, akin to flip-and-write games but without the writing. Each game feels fresh due to the variability introduced by the Investigation Cards and the different maps.

Pros

High Replayability: Four different maps and 28 Investigation Cards provide significant variability.

Engaging Mechanics: Simultaneous action and unique Investigation Cards keep the game exciting.

Strategic Depth: Players need to predict and adapt to the explore card draws.

Fast-paced: Turns are quick, and the game progresses rapidly.

Variety in Scoring: Multiple ways to earn coins, including exploring, trade routes, and uncovering ruins.

Cons

Generic Theme: The theme is somewhat bland and not highly immersive.

Initial Complexity: New players might find the rules slightly complex to grasp at first.

Luck Factor: The draw of explore cards can sometimes disrupt well-laid plans.

Personal Thoughts on The Guild of Merchant Explorers

The Guild of Merchant Explorers is ideal for players who enjoy strategic planning, simultaneous actions, and a mix of luck and strategy. It is suitable for 1-4 players and offers a playing time of around 45 minutes. This game is perfect for those who appreciate games with high replayability and enjoy the challenge of adapting to random events while executing long-term strategies. However, it may not be the best fit for players seeking a game with a strong, immersive theme or those who prefer more traditional roll-and-write mechanics.

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