Relic Runners | Rahdo's Final Thoughts

[@logicguy37]

I think this is a simple game to learn, but a hard game to 100% plan for, because of how the dynamics of the game can change with the other players, especially if they're all building their paths along yours and/or around your area, in addition to the powers of the various tiles and having to manage your rations. Love this game. I think you and Jen simply just work yourselves too hard thinking every game has to be this daunting puzzle to solve and to have a full-fledged strategy for.

[@rahdo]

basically, the main way you can create paths is by exploring ruins (this is the cheap, fast, efficient way to do it). but if I explore the ruin that you were going to use to build the path you need, then it's gone and you can't create that path. and so now you have to use tools or some special temple ability, which doesn't prevent you from making the path completely, but does slow you down. :)

[@freddieyu]

This isn't a gateway game despite the theme and looks. I am already trying to think how to explain the mechanics, and it won't be something you can explain in 5 minutes. I also completely agree regarding theme within the rules. Perfect examples f thematic rulebooks are Vlaada Chvatil's Dungeon Petz and Galaxy Trucker. Thanks for the playthrough. Now I want this game. It's not a MUST buy, but it's definitely on my radar.

[@greyknightcaine3000]

Convinced me. Thank you for the good review and thoughts about the game. 3+ family and gateway game I would say. Components are such an eye catcher to get any kid to play this. Even for muggles, after a couple of games, everything should be quite clear. Keep it up!

[@Michael_Sean_OConnor]

For the expeditions my son and I imagine discovering secret messages from the relic of one temple to find where the treasures are hidden in another temple of the the same type. This is a very good race game.

[@rahdo]

basically if you want you can play offense and try to interrupt the trails of other players by exploring the ruins that they need to complete their trails. then they can't explore those ruins themselves because their gone, which leaves gaps in their super trails. of course, there are ways around that (using tools primarily) but that slows them down giving you time to do a shorter relic run and snag the item they were trying to do a mega run for...

[@boardgamecloset]

This really fits for my group. As you said it's a great step up from TTR and fits perfectly for a family game with my wife and inlaws. Thanks for the review.

[@brandonbramelus4876]

Hey thx for the posting rahdo. Bought the game, looking forward to playing it a lot .

[@jpower2010]

This game is great! I've only ever played it with 4 or 5 players so I can confidently say that in a game with more players there is more tension! The competition for exploring ruins (in order to put down familiar pathways) becomes more fierce! I've only played a small number of times but the longest chain I have seen in a 4+ player game was 7. Usually people stay between 3-5 which is silly because you really rack up points by making the longest trail and then using the top power of the middle toolbox column to get 2x points for your longest trail. This is another aspect of the game which I have not yet mastered...using the progression table efficiently! I think there is a lot of strategy in this game which is why I traded away Ticket to Ride to get it. his game is great for beginners (I've used it as a gateway game many times) but it's not so simple that it gets boring. It's my fav Days of Wonder game!

[@rahdo]

agreed! if i had more than just me and Jen to play with on a regular basis, probably would have kept this one! :)

[@greglinsmythe3375]

Enjoy this game quite a bit. Used to be our go-to Sunday night game to help transition into the work week. Predominantly play with 2 players and have played with 5 players as well. Both are good. Concerned that the blue tiles are better than the whites and purples. I think I’ll take out the highest point blue tiles and see if it balances out.

[@lynnchalfoun8968]

Thanks for the clarification. Yes, of course it's a block, just not a complete one. (Trying to get my head around too many different games.) On a side note, I've watched a lot of your runthroughs and reviews and find them very helpful. Keep up the good work!

[@bookaddict777]

Thanks for the thoughts on the game, Richard. I think I will hold off on it for now - my hubby is not ready to "graduate" to this type of game - yet :)

[@lynnchalfoun8968]

I think what Keith was referring to is the part in the rules that says, "Pathways of different players may coexist along the same Trail but only benefit their respective owners." If that's so, how can a path be interrupted?

[@naima2]

Thank you for Your review of this game, but most of all, for explanation of rules. This game is perfect for my group of friends. We play more hardcore game like Game of Thrones, but this one is great for my girlfriend's friends, who want to join us. Thank you, I bought this game Yesterday and I'm very Happy :D

[@MajMalfunction10]

I think more than 2 players would get more competition for the relic runs and more people fighting over temples. But, I don't see how you can "attack" anyone as you can't block a path since players can all put a trail on the same path. The restriction would be that only three paths can be had from any one ruin. Overall, I don't know that it can be played mean.

[@rlbonham]

This sounds a bit like Karuba. Would anyone that has this game agree?

[@rahdo]

same setting, but very different gameplay :)