It was April Fool's Day 2022, and I'd promised my wife I wouldn't buy another game. But let's face it, promises are made to be broken—especially when it comes to board games. So, I picked up Cartographers, a title I knew nothing about.
Turns out, I stumbled upon a hidden gem. The game's strategic map-building mechanics reminded me of the challenges we faced when planning our new fence. It was like a playful way to explore the concept of boundaries and control without the actual construction.
Cartographers was quickly added to our rotation. We played it so often that we decided to invest in a laminator, dry erase markers, and sheets to preserve our maps. This has added to the replayability and let's you add a touch of personalization during every game. This marked the beginning of us laminating all our favorite roll/flip and write games.
About the Game
Cartographers is a 2019 flip-and-write game designed by Jordy Adan and published by Thunderworks Games. It's a strategic map-building adventure where players explore the land on behalf of the queen. Here, they aim to create the most proficient map to earn the highest prestige after four seasons.
Components
Well-written rulebook that includes descriptions for each scoring card
100 map sheets featuring two different sides and scenarios
Explore cards - the cards that you'll be drawing every turn
Scoring cards
Season cards - set up cards used in every game
Edict cards - set up cards used in every game
Ambush cards
Gameplay Overview
Cartographers takes you on a four-season journey where you flip cards and strategically draw them on your map to match seasonal objectives. The goal is to create the most detailed map, balancing strategy and adaptation as the scoring criteria change throughout the game.
Set Up
Give each player a map and decide whether to play on side A or B.
Arrange the edict cards face-up in order: A, B, C, and D. Then deal out one scoring card under each edict.
Arrange the season cards in order: spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Shuffle the explore cards and add a random ambush card to the deck, then shuffle again.
Write your cartographer name, title, and design a cool shield
Now you’re ready to start the game!
Playing the Game
Exploration and Drawing Phase
Reveal the top card of the deck.
Each player simultaneously draws the chosen shape and terrain from the revealed card onto their map.
If an ambush card is drawn, pass your map to the neighbor and hope for the best.
If a ruins card is drawn, draw the next card and place the chosen shape on top of a ruins space on your map.
Take note of special conditions, like surrounding a mountain to score a coin.
Players are free to draw shapes anywhere on their maps, but if you’re unable to legally place a shape, you can draw a 1x1 square anywhere with any terrain type.
Check and Scoring Phase
Each card has a time value, which decreases the number of time thresholds allowed in each season. Spring and Summer have 8 time slots, Fall has 7, and Winter has 6. During gameplay, add the time values after each round to see if the total number meets or exceeds the current season’s threshold. If it does, it’s time to score!
Scoring is based on the current season’s edicts. For example, in Spring, you’ll score based on Edicts A and B. You earn reputation stars (points) for meeting criteria, gaining points for each filled coin, and subtracting points for each empty orthogonally adjacent space next to a monster.
Move on to the next season by reshuffling the deck. Only the previous season card and any revealed ambush cards get discarded. At the end of the fourth season, total your reputation stars across all four seasons. The player with the highest score wins, and in the case of a tie, the player with the least negative ambush points takes the victory.
Strategy
This game strikes a perfect balance between luck and strategy. As you progress, you'll have to make tough decisions about where to place map features to optimize your scoring potential. The scoring objectives change throughout the game, adding a layer of excitement and forcing players to adapt their strategies on the fly. The early scoring objectives give you a hint of what to expect, allowing you to plan for the future while adapting to the present. It’s a delightful challenge that keeps you engaged from start to finish.
Replayability
Cartographers offers high replayability. It plays well at any player count, though I've only tested this theory from solo to nine players. Each game feels fresh and unique. What combinations will be fliped? Will an ambush card destroy my dreams and aspirations? It will all depend on the conditions and cards flipped!
Interaction
While everyone works on their own maps, there’s a sense of camaraderie as you compare your creations and discuss the strategies you employed. The ambush mechanic adds an intriguing twist, where players can disrupt each other's plans. This feature can make or break friendships, so use it wisely! The extra layer of interaction sets Cartographers apart from most flip-and-write games, which typically lack direct interaction.
Pros and Cons
Pros
High replayability: every game feels fresh due to the random combination of scoring objectives and ambushes
Easy to learn, hard to master: simple rules make it accessible, but the strategic decisions required for optimal play offer depth
Scalability: works well with different player counts,
Interactive gameplay: The ambush mechanic adds a unique layer of player interaction. This is a unique feature to this game
Language independent: even though there are story lines and descriptions to each card, this game can be played with anyone
Color blind friendly: there are multiple terrains with different colors, but they each have a unique feature
Cons
Ambush mechanic can be divisive: some players might not enjoy the direct interaction of ambush cards disrupting their plans
The map sheets are finite: mitigate with a laminator 🎉
Potential analysis paralysis: With so many choices and strategies, some players may experience decision fatigue
Overall Experience
Cartographers is a fantastic board game that combines strategy, creativity, and friendly competition. It offers a unique experience that appeals to both casual and hardcore gamers. The gameplay is engaging, and the replayability is high. Whether you're a fan of mapmaking or simply love a good strategic challenge, Cartographers is definitely a game you should check out. The game is also available in Board Game Arena for those that like to try before buying
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