The Island of El Dorado (2018) Board Game

The Island of El Dorado is a board game that was released in in 2018. Designed by Helen Zhu and published by El Dorado Games, it falls under the categories of adventure, ancient civilization, exploration, and mythology. The game is designed for 2-4 players, with an average playtime of 25-80 minutes and is suitable for players aged 10 and above.

Game Components of The Island of El Dorado

Hex tiles for map building

Building and army pieces

Treasure and resource tokens

Player boards and markers

Random event tiles

How To Setup The Island of El Dorado

To set up the game, players start by creating the island landscape using hex tiles, each of which may contain resources, obstacles, or treasures. Each player selects a nation and places their lead colonist on the starting tile. Players also receive initial resources and building pieces. The game is ready to begin once all players have set up their starting positions and the random event tiles are shuffled and prepared.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Exploration: Players draw and place hex tiles to expand the island map.

Resource Gathering: Collect resources from the tiles to build and maintain armies and structures.

Building: Construct buildings to enhance capabilities and resource collection.

Battle: Engage in tactical battles to overcome obstacles and opponents.

Objective: The goal is to be the first player to find and collect all the lost treasures, which are revealed through the random draw of tiles.

Player Experience

The Island of El Dorado offers a dynamic and unpredictable gameplay experience. Players must navigate the random draw of tiles, which can significantly impact their progress. The game is simple to learn but involves strategic placement of buildings and armies, as well as tactical decisions in battles. The high element of luck can create dramatic moments and stories within each game, though this may also lead to frustration for some players.

Pros

Easy to learn with a short teaching time of about 10 minutes.

Encourages exploration and strategic planning.

Asymmetric powers for different nations can add replay value.

Suitable for 2-4 players, with 4 players being the optimal number.

Cons

High dependence on luck can make the game feel less balanced.

Simple mechanics might not appeal to players seeking complex strategies.

The theme of colonization and dispatching native creatures can be off-putting for some.

Personal Thoughts on The Island of El Dorado

The Island of El Dorado is best suited for players who enjoy games with a strong element of exploration and randomness. It is ideal for those who appreciate simple, straightforward mechanics but are ready for the unpredictability that comes with random tile draws. However, players seeking deeply strategic games or those who are sensitive to colonization themes may find this game less appealing. For fans of race games and light-hearted strategy, The Island of El Dorado can offer an entertaining and varied experience.

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