Dungeonology: The Expedition – From Scholar to Dungeon Explorer

Welcome to Rocca Civetta! Dungeonology: The Expedition is set in an imaginary Renaissance era. Players act as scholars from a mystical university on a mission to explore dungeons and learn about their unusual inhabitants without disturbing them.

👥 2-4 players, ages 14+
⌛ Playing time: 90 minutes
📝 Designers: Diego Fonseca & Danilo Guidi
🎨 Artwork: Fernando Armentano, Simone de Paolis, Diego Fonseca, Tommaso Incecchi, Giovanni Pirrotta, Paolo Scippo

🏢 Publisher: Ludus Magnus Studio (review copy provided)

Game Objective

The main goal of Dungeonology is for players to navigate through dungeons to collect Information Cubes. These cubes represent knowledge about the dungeon’s residents. Players need to gather this information quietly to avoid alerting the inhabitants, as this could jeopardize their mission. The player who ends the game with the most points, earned by collecting these cubes and successfully submitting their academic thesis, wins the game.

Gameplay Mechanics

The gameplay is structured into turns where each player chooses one action from three possible options:

1. Rest: This action is for recovery. If a scholar is too tired, shown by the number of Stun Tokens they have, they must choose this action. Resting involves returning to the starting point, getting rid of all Stun Tokens, and preparing for the next exploration by managing cards and tokens.

2. Submit the Thesis: This is a critical move. A scholar must have gathered enough Information Cubes and earned at least two Stars to attempt submitting their thesis. This involves a bit of calculation to see if they have scored enough points to meet the target score. If successful, it brings additional points and concludes the scholar’s participation in the game. If not, the scholar faces setbacks and must continue the game.

3. Explore: This is the main action of the game where the exploration happens. Scholars move through the dungeon, revealing new areas and secretly collecting information. This phase is interactive, as players can use cards to influence the outcome of their turn and potentially affect others.

Ending the Game and Scoring

The game ends under three conditions: a successful thesis submission, the depletion of Information Cubes, or the game reaching a maximum disruption level caused by Omega Students, who are hidden saboteurs within the game. Final scoring then takes place, with each player adding up points based on the information they have collected, any bonuses they have earned, and subtracting any penalties.

Exploring Dungeonology: The Expedition – What to Expect

Created by Diego Fonseca and Danilo Guidi, Dungeonology: The Expedition is a game designed for 2-4 players aged 14 and above. Each game lasts around 90 minutes, perfect for an evening’s entertainment. Italian board game publisher Ludus Magnus Studio released the game following a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2019.

Setting Up the Game

The setup of Dungeonology is quite simple, which is always a plus. It means you can quickly start playing, especially useful when introducing the game to new players. While the rulebook is mostly clear and well-organized, some parts might require a second read to fully grasp. However, once you get going, the gameplay is intuitive, letting players focus more on playing and less on flipping through rules.

Game Components and Design

The game shines in its production quality. Players will appreciate the attention to detail in the miniatures and the dual-layered boards that add to the game’s visual appeal. The sturdy cardboard tiles, tokens, and high-quality cards are all decorated with beautiful artwork that helps immerse players in the game’s theme. Additionally, the game’s box comes with a custom insert that neatly organizes all components, aiding in both setup and cleanup.

Final Thoughts

What sets Dungeonology apart is its focus on exploration and learning rather than combat. Players take on the roles of scholars exploring dungeons, gathering information about its mysterious inhabitants. This involves a mix of strategic planning, resource management, and interaction with other players. The game is as much about clever decision-making and anticipation as it is about direct competition.

Dungeonology: The Expedition brings a blend of strategy and exploration to the table, with a touch of luck influencing the gameplay. The game challenges players to think strategically, make smart decisions, and adapt to the dynamics of each new play session. If you enjoy games with strong thematic elements and narrative depth, this game’s definitely worth a try.

📝 Disclaimer: Ludus Magnus Studio provided us with this game for review purposes.