Embedded Files
By: Kim and Devin
December 7, 2022
Overview
Explorers (2021) is a 1-4 player flip-and-write path-making game by Phil Walker-Harding and published by Ravensburger. In Explorers, players will mark their paths across the landscape to gather resources, explore temples, and more in an attempt to gain the highest score after four rounds!
To set up a game of Explorers, each player is dealt a set of map tiles numbered 1 through 8, a set of scoring tiles, and a two-sided player board. Collectively, the players decide which side of the scoring tiles and player board to use. Next, the first player chooses four map tiles to place in their player board, oriented however they wish. The other players use their own sets of map tiles to match the layout chosen by the first player. Optionally, the group may choose to add between 1 and 3 achievement tiles to add extra scoring opportunities for everyone.
The game is played over four rounds with each player taking seven simultaneous actions per round. At the start of each round, the 8 exploration tiles are shuffled, and 1 is removed unseen. The first player will flip over one exploration tile, revealing two terrain types. They will choose one terrain type that they want to mark for this turn and point it towards themselves, while the other side of the tile is pointed to the rest of the table. The first player can then mark 3 spaces of the chosen terrain type on their map, while the other players are left with a decision to make. The other players can either use the unselected terrain type and mark 3 spaces of that type on their map, OR they can choose the same terrain type as the first player but only mark 2 spaces. After everyone has marked their maps, the next player will draw an exploration tile, select a terrain type, and so on. After all exploration tiles have been drawn, the round ends. Any round-end scoring is completed, the first player token is passed to the next player, all 8 exploration tiles are shuffled (and 1 removed again!), and play continues until the end of the fourth round.
During the game, players will try to reach different spaces to earn points. Some spaces will reward more points to the first player that marks them, while others may need to be marked at strategic moments to score the most points. There are also spaces that won’t award points, but will offer other bonuses or abilities when marked.
The game also includes a solo mode that is simple to implement. At the start of rounds 2, 3, and 4, you mark off the highest available scoring option on temples and achievements. On each turn, you flip an exploration tile with terrain type pointed to yourself. You may use this terrain and mark 3 spaces, or use the other terrain and mark 2 spaces. After 4 rounds, you grade your score using a table in the book.
Thoughts
🔴Kim🔴
Explorers is such a fun flip-and-write that offers a good amount of strategy in about 20 minutes of play time! The rulebook is very easy and straightforward to understand with a guide for all of the iconography in the game. The components are all made to be used with dry erase markers, which are included in the box, and everything is of very nice quality. All your turns are pretty quick: you either mark 3 or 2 ‘Xs’ on a terrain type and perform any other actions like marking off a gem or other item you collected on your player board. However, I can see how this can lead to some analysis paralysis for people who are prone to it, so that’s something to keep in mind.
A huge plus is how little table space this takes up! We are currently having some construction done on our house that’s making it hard to set up a game, especially during the week, but we were able to play this on a small side table.
I highly recommend this game for non-gamers and gamers alike. It’s easy to teach and is a great game to pull out when you want something short and fun or when you don’t have a lot of tablespace.
🟣Devin🟣
Explorers is a neat little game! It’s meant to be accessible and quick, so if you’re looking for a complex interlacing of mechanics and rules, avert your gaze! I like that a game this fast and simple still leaves a lot of room for interesting decisions without being too stressful. I’m accustomed to games of this weight being primarily luck-based, but this manages to balance its light weight with strategy. Explorers is a relatively cheap, fun game with good production that doesn’t take up a lot of space on the shelf or on the table. If you’re in the market for something lighter to play, I can wholly recommend Explorers!
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse