Explorers

Explorers is a clever little flip-and-write game that's easy to learn but offers surprisingly strategic depth. The core gameplay is simple: you and your fellow explorers are trying to claim the most valuable spots on a shared map. You do this by placing "crosses" on landscape tiles, but the catch is that you can only place crosses orthogonally adjacent to your previous crosses. This creates a fascinating puzzle as you try to maximize your points while also blocking your opponents from claiming the best spots.

I really appreciate that the game is modular. Each player gets to choose which landscapes to include in their personal map, which adds a surprising amount of variability for a relatively simple game. There's also a solo mode, which I haven't tried yet, but seems like a good way to practice your strategy. The components are well-made and the game plays quickly (about 20-30 minutes), which makes it a great choice for a casual game night.

However, Explorers is not without its drawbacks. Some reviewers have mentioned that the lack of direct interaction between players can make the game feel a bit bland. Others have complained that the game is too abstract, with little thematic connection to the idea of exploration. Personally, I don't find the lack of interaction to be a major issue, but I do agree that the theme is a bit thin. I also found the supplied marker to be too thick, making it hard to accurately mark the small spaces on the board.

Overall, Explorers is a solid game that I enjoyed playing. It's a great choice for families or gamers looking for a quick and easy-to-learn strategy game. However, if you're looking for a game with a strong thematic experience or lots of player interaction, you might want to look elsewhere.