The Lost Expedition (2017) Board Game

The Lost Expedition is a cooperative card game designed by Peer Sylvester and published by Osprey Games in in 2017. The game is set in the Amazon rainforest, where players take on the roles of explorers trying to find the lost city of El Dorado. With stunning artwork by Garen Ewing, the game offers a challenging and immersive experience for 1 to 5 players.

Game Components of The Lost Expedition

6 Character cards, each representing a historic figure with unique areas of expertise (jungle, navigation, and camping).

9 Jungle cards, which form the panoramic rainforest trail.

56 Adventure cards, representing various encounters and challenges.

2 Reference cards for rules and icon explanations.

Health markers, food tokens, and ammunition tokens.

How To Setup The Lost Expedition

To set up the game, players choose their three explorers, each with a specific area of expertise. Each explorer starts with 3-4 health points, depending on the difficulty level. The players also gather a communal supply of food and ammunition. The jungle terrain is laid out using the 9 Jungle cards, and the first six Adventure cards are drawn and sorted numerically for the morning phase. In solo and 2-player variants, half of these cards are drawn from the deck.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Adventure Cards: Played in morning and evening phases, these cards feature events, choices, and options that players must resolve in sequence.
– Morning phase: Cards are sorted numerically and resolved in order.
– Evening phase: Cards are resolved in the order they were played, with flexibility to place new cards at the front or back of the sequence.

Resource Management: Players must manage health, ammunition, and food resources, using their explorers’ expertise to overcome challenges.

Progression: Players advance along the jungle trail by completing cards with the “advance” icon, which often requires spending resources.

Objective: The goal is to reach the Lost City of Z (El Dorado) by advancing through the jungle trail, ensuring at least one explorer survives.

Player Experience

Playing The Lost Expedition is an intense and challenging experience, particularly in solo mode. The game models the uncertainties and dangers of real expeditions, requiring careful resource management and strategic planning. Players must make tough decisions about which resources to spend and when, all while navigating the unpredictable sequence of Adventure cards. The game’s thematic design and beautiful components enhance the immersive experience, but the difficulty level means success is rare, mirroring the real-life challenges faced by explorers like Percy Fawcett.

Pros

Thematic Immersion: The game captures the theme of exploration and survival in the Amazon well.

Challenging Mechanics: Offers a great thinky challenge with varied difficulty levels and play modes.

High Replayability: Different card sequences ensure each game is unique.

Beautiful Components: Tarot-sized cards with clear and engaging artwork.

Cons

Steep Learning Curve: The iconography and symbol system can be confusing at first.

High Difficulty: The game is very challenging, especially in solo mode.

Luck-Dependent: The sequence of cards can significantly impact the outcome of the game.

Personal Thoughts on The Lost Expedition

The Lost Expedition is ideal for fans of cooperative and solo games who enjoy a good challenge. It is particularly suited for players who appreciate resource management and strategic planning. The game’s historical inspiration and immersive theme make it engaging for those interested in exploration and survival stories. However, due to its high difficulty level, it may not be the best fit for casual gamers or those looking for a light, easy-going experience.

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