The Quest for El Dorado (2017) Board Game

The Quest for El Dorado’ is a board game designed by Reiner Knizia and published by Ravensburger in in 2017. The game takes players on an adventure through the dense jungle in search of the legendary city of El Dorado, famous for its riches and treasures. With a mix of deck-building and racing mechanics, players must strategize and plot their way through the jungle to reach their goal before their opponents.

Game Components of The Quest for El Dorado

7 Terrain Tiles

2 Terrain Strips

1 Ending Tile

6 Blockades

8 Playing Pieces

4 Expedition Boards

1 Starting Player Hat

1 Market Board

86 Expedition Cards

36 Cave Tokens

Instructions.

How To Setup The Quest for El Dorado

To set up the game, players start by creating the game board using the terrain tiles, which can be arranged in over 100,000 different layouts, as specified in the rulebook or through player creativity. Each player receives an expedition board and a starting hand of eight cards. The market board is set up with available cards for purchase. Players choose their starting player and place their meeple on the start tile. The blockades and cave tokens are placed according to the chosen layout.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Deck-Building: Players use cards to move their expedition and purchase new cards to improve their deck.

Racing: The goal is to be the first player to reach El Dorado.

Variable Board: The game board changes with each play, offering a new challenge each time.

Game Objective

Move your meeple through the terrain tiles by playing cards that match the terrain type.

Buy new cards from the market to enhance your deck.

Reach El Dorado before other players by navigating through the jungle efficiently.

Player Experience

In The Quest for El Dorado, players take on the roles of expedition leaders navigating through the dense jungles of South America. The game requires strategic planning, as players must analyze the route to determine which cards will be most valuable. The combination of deck-building and racing mechanics makes each game unique and challenging. The game is accessible to younger players, with an 8-year-old able to understand and enjoy it, yet it also offers enough depth for experienced gamers.

Pros

Quick Turns: Games are relatively short, lasting 30-60 minutes.

Beautiful Artwork: The game features vivid and engaging artwork by Vincent Dutrait.

High Replayability: With over 100,000 possible board layouts, the game offers endless hours of fun and new challenges each time.

Cons

Luck of the Draw: The game can be influenced by the luck of the draw.

Setup Time: Setting up the game board and market can take some time.

Table Space: The game requires a significant amount of table space due to the large tiles and market board.

Personal Thoughts on The Quest for El Dorado

The Quest for El Dorado is an excellent introduction to the deck-building genre, especially for younger players or those new to the mechanic. It balances simplicity with strategic depth, making it a great addition to family game nights. However, for those who prefer heavy, brain-burning games, this might not be the best fit. It is ideal for anyone looking for a fun, strategic, and visually appealing game that combines exploration and racing elements. Reiner Knizia’s design ensures that the game remains engaging and challenging, making it a must-have for many game collections.

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