tabletoppingboardgames 
Roll your way through the jungle and prove you’re the most skilled expedition leader!
2-5 players, ages 8+
Playing time: 30 minutes
Designer: Reiner Knizia
Artist: Bernd Wagenfeld
Publisher: KOSMOS
https://www.kosmos.de/
At the start of the game, each player receives a score sheet with 8 columns: an artefact column, a dice column and one column for each of the 6 colours of the Lost Cities.
On their turn, the active player rolls the 6 dice and picks a combination of a number and a symbol die, the 4 other dice are available for the other players to choose a combination from. The active player can also refuse dice by marking the bottom most symbol in the dice column.
Before starting a certain expedition, you may mark the ‘double point circle’ by combining a ‘0’ with the corresponding symbol; that expedition will be worth double points at the end. When writing numbers in the columns of the expeditions, they must be placed in ascending order from bottom to top, and some of the boxes give you certain bonuses like artefacts, or accelerations that allow you to write a second number in the same turn. The first player to cross the bridge between the 6th and 7th box in each column will also gain 20 bonus points.
The game ends when all 8 bridges have been passed, or the dice column of every player is exhausted. Players score points for each of their columns and bridge bonuses, and the most points wins!
A design by Dr. Reiner Knizia always catches my interest. I hadn’t played any other games of the ‘Lost Cities’-family before, but this roll & write version definitely has been a pleasant acquaintance with the series.
I think this is a solid roll & write game with a good amount of push your luck, that gives me the same vibes as Qwixx while playing. Gameplay is fast and fun, with just the perfect decision spaces you need for this type of game.
If you’re on the lookout for a new portable game that could be perfect to take on a trip this summer, I’d definitely recommend this one!
