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The Treasure of Montecristo Island (2021) Board Game

ByMichail

The Treasure of Montecristo Island is a board game released in 2021, designed by Brian Carroll and Megan Scheidler. It is an adventure game that can be played by 2 to 6 players, with a runtime of 60 to 120 minutes. The game is set on a mysterious island where players work together to uncover hidden treasure while facing various challenges and obstacles.

Game Components of The Treasure of Montecristo Island

  • Game Board:** A stylized treasure map of the island.
  • Resource Icons:** Food, water, rope, stone, coal, and wood.
  • Insignias:** Treasure icon, thief shield, and evening fate card.
  • Tools, Altars, and Traps:** Spear, axe, locator staff, unlit altar, lit altar, anchor, poison, rope trap, and bear trap.
  • Ships:** Hero ship and thief ship.
  • Locations:** Island’s mountain with hideaway, windmill, chapels, and monasteries.
  • Characters:** Player characters with unique abilities and the Thief character.
  • Random Event Cards:** Providing various outcomes such as resource drops or challenges.

    How To Setup The Treasure of Montecristo Island

    To set up the game, players place the game board in the middle of the playing area. Each player chooses a character and places their token on the hero ship. The Thief token is placed on the thief ship. Players start with initial resources such as food and water. The resource icons, tools, altars, and other components are placed within reach. The random event cards are shuffled and placed face down on designated spaces on the board.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Cooperative Play:** Players work together to survive and find the treasure.
  • Resource Gathering:** Players gather resources (food, water, stone, coal, wood) to craft tools and build altars.
  • Altar Construction:** Building four altars on the four corners of the island and lighting them to reveal the treasure location.
  • Thief Mechanic:** The Thief character constantly moves to steal resources and damage players.
  • Health and Action Points:** Players must manage their health and action points, which decrease with hunger, thirst, or damage from the Thief.
  • Objective:** Survive long enough to find the treasure, avoid the Thief, and escape the island with the treasure before the Thief does.

    Player Experience

    Playing The Treasure of Montecristo Island can be a mixed bag. On one hand, the cooperative aspect and the urgency of avoiding the Thief create a tense and engaging environment. However, the game is often criticized for its length and repetitive mechanics. Players spend a significant amount of time gathering resources, building altars, and managing their health, which can feel like a grind. The game’s design forces one player to act as a decoy to keep the Thief occupied while others focus on the main objectives, which can be less engaging for that player.

    Pros

  • Cooperative Challenge:** Encourages teamwork and strategy.
  • Thematic Engagement:** The treasure hunt and survival mechanics immerse players in the adventure.
  • Expansions:** The expansion pack, such as “The Thief and the Purple Sapphire,” adds new mechanics and playable characters.

    Cons

  • Lengthy Gameplay:** Games can last 2-3 hours, which may feel too long and repetitive.
  • Repetitive Mechanics:** Players often perform the same tasks repeatedly, such as gathering resources and avoiding the Thief.
  • Limited Player Engagement:** Some players may feel less involved, especially the one acting as a decoy for the Thief.

    Personal Thoughts on The Treasure of Montecristo Island

    The Treasure of Montecristo Island is best suited for players who enjoy cooperative games with a strong survival component and are willing to invest time in a lengthy game session. While it has its moments of excitement and tension, the repetitive nature of the gameplay may not appeal to everyone. For those who enjoy a challenging, grind-heavy experience, this game might be a good fit. However, for players seeking a more dynamic and varied gameplay experience, they might find other options more satisfying.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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