Wouter & Ymke 
In Explorers of Navoria, players are transported to magical lands where new continents have risen from the depths of the ocean. The council of Navoria has called for these lands to be explored, and players respond to this call, setting the stage for an engaging journey.
👥 2-4 players, ages 12+
⌛ Playing time: 20 minutes per player
📝 Designer: Meng Chunlin
🎨 Artwork: Meng Chunlin
🏢 Publisher: Dranda Games (review copy provided)
The Heart of the Game: Four Phases
The game is structured into three rounds, with each round comprising four main phases: Recruit, Gather, Income, and Return. During the Recruit phase, players have two options for drawing action tokens to select and recruit townsfolk cards. One option allows players to draw two tokens from the bag, choose one to recruit a face-up card from the corresponding deck and place the other in the town center. Alternatively, players can select an action token already in the town center to recruit a card. These townsfolk are vital for players as they navigate through the game, each offering different benefits and immediate effects.
The Gather phase is performed in reversed player order. In this phase, players collect rewards by placing action tokens on the board. These rewards range from gaining points and goods to moving exploration markers, all contributing to the players’ journey across Navoria. In the Income phase, players earn points based on their current holdings and their progress on exploration tracks. And finally, the Return phase symbolizes the end of a round. Here, players reset certain game elements, preparing for the next round. This phase involves returning exploration markers to their starting points, returning action tokens to the bag, and refreshing the townsfolk cards available for recruitment.
The Townsfolk: Cards of Strategy
Throughout the game, players interact with various types of townsfolk cards, each serving different roles. From merchants who trade and provide income, builders who help establish trading posts, soldiers offering endgame bonuses, adventurers aiding in exploration, to artisans who gather goods – each card type plays its role in the overall strategy.
Managing the Docks
An interesting element of the game is the management of goods across three docks, each corresponding to different territories. Players must strategically place goods at these docks to fulfill orders and gain rewards. The choice of dock for each good is significant, as it affects the player’s ability to complete orders and claim rewards.
The Finale: Scoring and Victory
As the game concludes after the third round, final scoring takes place. Points are calculated based on the players’ achievements throughout the game, including the successful recruitment of townsfolk and the fulfillment of conditions set by soldier cards and favor tiles. The player with the highest points is declared the winner, having successfully navigated the challenges and opportunities presented by the magical land of Navoria.
Created by Meng Chunlin, Explorers of Navoria invites 2-4 players, aged 12 and above, into a strategic adventure lasting 40-60 minutes. This game is currently gathering support on Kickstarter through Dranda Games. Backers have the opportunity to not only pledge for the base game but also to obtain the Forgotten Lands expansion, alongside other enticing extras such as a playmat and deluxe wooden resources.
A Blend of Strategy and Aesthetic Appeal
Explorers of Navoria offers a mix of tableau building, worker placement, open drafting, and set collection mechanics, and it delivers a gameplay experience that is both easy to grasp and fluid. This seamless integration results in swift turns and minimal downtime. The rulebook, with its clear instructions, ample illustrations, and examples, simplifies the learning process, making the game swiftly teachable to newcomers.
The quality of the game components is exceptional. The action tokens, crafted from sturdy wood, are a pleasure to handle, enhancing the tactile experience of the game. These, along with the vibrantly colored meeples, VP, and reputation tokens, add a visual richness to the gameplay. The artwork, a creation of the game designer Meng Chunlin himself, is both eye-catching and colorful, bearing a resemblance to the celebrated art style of the game Root, which many may appreciate. We think the illustrations really breathe life into the cards, making them a highlight of the game.
Decisions at the Heart of Navoria
The recruit phase introduces a simple but clever concept, where players face a strategic choice: drawing two action tokens blindly from the bag or selecting a visible one from the town center. This decision-making involves a blend of risk, strategy, and a dash of luck, also considering the moves of your opponents to avoid missing out on crucial cards.
Each card type in the game offers distinct benefits, requiring players to craft a balanced tableau to execute their strategy effectively. When drafting these townsfolk cards, the goal tiles add a touch of set collection, which is something extra to take into consideration. Collecting five cards of the same type allows players to claim favor, with endgame points hinging on the specific types of townsfolk in one’s tableau. This introduces a competitive race element, with the variability of the tiles ensuring a fresh experience in each game.
Beyond the recruit phase, the return phase incorporates a straightforward worker placement mechanic in reverse turn order. Players select action tokens and place them in one of the five town areas to reap immediate benefits. Another important aspect of the game is the exploration tracks, which contribute significantly to the total points. Building trading posts along these tracks is vital, as they not only retain your exploration markers but also enhance the rewards from fulfilling contracts at the docks.
Final Thoughts 💭
We find Explorers of Navoria to be a thoroughly enjoyable game. It impresses with the depth it offers through a simple and direct set of rules. Every element is interwoven, demanding attention and strategic consideration to stand a chance of winning. It’s a testament to the thoughtful design that players must engage with all aspects of the game to vie for victory. The game rewards clever planning and adaptability, making every session a fresh challenge that keeps you coming back for more.
📝 Disclaimer: Dranda Games kindly provided a copy of Explorers of Navoria for the purpose of this review.
