Cartographers Board Game | Award-Winning Game of Map Drawing | Strategy Flip and Write Family Game of Fantasy Cartography | 30-45 Minutes for 1-99 Players Ages 10+ | Thunderworks Games

In the few weeks since I bought this game I have played it dozens of time. It plays well in person. It can be played easily online. It can be played solo. It can be played with a room full of people. Everyone I know who has tried the game has liked it. Game play - Each player has an identical map grid that they will fill in over the course of the game with different terrain types. Each round (4 rounds in the game) between 3 to 8 cards are drawn; each card has terrain type (forest, farms, town, etc.) and a shape (Tetris shapes). All players add the terrain and shape from the card to their grid. The decision on where to add the terrain is based on 4 goal cards with point values, example goals are "8 points for any town six spaces or larger" or "1 point for every forest next to water." Two of the goal cards are scored each round, each goal card is scored twice each game. Highest score wins. - Easy to learn. Most people pick it up within 15 minutes and understand the game well enough to become competitive within the first playing. The only place where people tend to get confused is scoring; some of the scoring cards require some explanation ("The Broken Road" in particular seems to confuse people). - Plays in about 30 minutes (if everyone knows the rules). - Can be played with 1 (solo) to any number of people. - Game play is strategic, but it straight forward enough that most people can play without getting lost. - Luck is not a factor in determining the winner. Since everyone plays off the same cards each player's score is entirely based on what what they decided with each terrain card.

Disclaimer: I've only played this game solitaire, but there's not much difference in how you play. You're really just playing against the game for a high score anyway. That being said, this game has one feature that really shines: you are drawing a map as the cards are revealed. Of course, how you draw it is up to you. Do you go for high score or do you make the prettiest map? There are 100 2-sided map sheets, so you have lots to experiment with. Get some colored pens and pencils and be creative. Go online and look up examples of beautiful map ideas people have come up with. If you're playing by yourself, you can take all the time you like. The gameplay is simple once you learn the rules. Lots of strategy and choice dilemmas. The scoring for solitaire play is pretty difficult. Think you can achieve Master Cartographer? I haven't come close yet. But I'm building a collection of pretty maps. Nice low-key enjoyment. There are sequels too, but for now I'm having plenty of fun with the original. Maybe someday!

If you're not already heavy into board games, this one might but just a bit challenging at the beginning to learn. Totally doable, just a bit more complex if you're someone who is used to games like Uno, Monopoly, etc. If you're heavy into board games (have a library, your second home is Board Game Geek, etc), you'll pick it up no problem. The idea is you're mapping your explorations for queen. You'll get Tetris looking shapes and will choose what type of symbol to use for that area and fit it on your map made up for grid squares. You score by making sure your map meets certain criteria (each game is different), like having farm touching water, or filling a whole row or column, etc. Every so often, you'll draw an ambush card where you have to pass your map to someone next to you and they fill in monster symbols according to the shape given on the card, which is meant to foil your point plans and get you negative points. Fun game with infinite replayability and pretty much unlimited player count. Good for game night, travel game (we've played on flights), and even 2 players.

Love that this game can be played with big and small groups. Love that it is one younger kids can understand and be included in. Maybe not really little, but our 8y.o. thinks its awesome. As long as they can sit through the game and understand the idea of shapes fitting on the grid it's not hard to pick up. But older players may need to 'be kind' to young players on monster attacks. Love that it can be played pretty quickly. Keeps kids and adults attention. Love that you can print out more maps for free online from the game designer's website. Family friendly, competitive, but not cut throat. You can be mean with monster attack placement, but you have to use the shape on the card drawn, so there is only so much damage you can inflict. So far entire family has enjoyed it. We like to use colored pencils or colored markers on the maps to match the colors of the squares on the cards for easier point counting.

As advertised.

-Gameplay is straightforward. You flip over a card, you draw it on your map. If you get a ruins card, you are limited in where you can draw it, otherwise, draw it anywhere that fits. Do this until enough "time" elapses that the current season ends. The game ends at the end of winter. -There are 16 objective cards (four sets of four) out of which four get chosen for each game (one from each set). These are randomly placed as A,B,C and D, two of which will be scored each round (AB, then BC, then CD, then DA). -There are two major strategy elements to each game: figuring out where to place pieces, and figuring out which objectives to pursue. Different objectives can give more points, but may require more time and/or skill to accomplish, and so it's not just which objectives are present, but when they will be scored that will determine which you pursue. -This game is not, however, just multiplayer solitaire. When monster cards show up, you pass your map in the direction indicated on the card, and they place the monsters wherever they want on your map. This can foul up your designs, and each empty space beside a monster square dings you a point. -Components are well made. It's basically just map sheets, pencils and cards. The map sheets have a space for a coat of arms, motto and title, which are nicely done, as well as a well designed scoring area. The pencils and cards are pretty standard. -This game is easy enough to pick up that even young children can have fun playing, but the strategy is sufficient that the best player will usually win. A game that can be enjoyed many times...I highly recommend.

can be boring to a lot my friends, I like it tho

This game is a great easy game to play and teach new players. It is kinda like a draw-in Tetris, with monsters your opponent's draw in. Small size makes it a great game to travel with. Highly reccomend this game.

Lo describen y ponen la foto en inglés, pero tras larga espera llega en polaco o algo así.... me parece una tomadura de pelo porque temo ya hay algún comentario al respecto y lo siguen haciendo. Una pena porque el juego promete pero obviamente lo tendré que devolver

Nice game. Good to play from 2 people to 100.

A friend introduced us to this game. and it feels complicated to play. But once you get the hand of it, its so much fun! The game has two sides and multiple cards that are played uniquely through each game which can create a good variety. The game is also a good travel size. The quality of the game is amazing and has such a fun feel to it. Highly recommend to everyone. If you enjoy games like stardew valley, you would like this game

apparently I am not allowed to say what the issue is

A Quick and fun game for everyone!