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Embarking on a journey through uncharted territory is exciting, but in Landmarks, it’s also a test of teamwork, strategy, and communication. This game by Floodgate Games combines word association with tactical navigation as players work together (or compete in teams) to navigate the jungle, uncover treasures, and avoid its many dangers.
👥 2-10 players, ages 8+
⌛ Playing time: 20 minutes
📝 Designers: Rodrigo Rego & Danilo Valente
🎨 Artwork: Aeron Ng
🏢 Publisher: Floodgate Games (review copy provided)
Gameplay Overview
In Landmarks, you and your team take on different roles. One player is the Pathfinder, the one who secretly knows the lay of the land, including the treasures, traps, curses, amulets, water sources, and the all-important exit. Everyone else plays as Explorers, relying entirely on the Pathfinder’s clues to figure out where to go and what to do. Here’s where it gets interesting. The Pathfinder can only give one-word clues to guide you through the jungle, and those clues have to relate to or connect with landmarks already on the board. It’s up to the team to figure out which space the Pathfinder wants them to explore next based on these clever connections.
The game starts with the Pathfinder placing three landmarks on the board to give the Explorers a starting point. Then, the Pathfinder gives a single word as a clue, designed to nudge the team toward a specific space. The Explorers discuss the clue, connect it to the landmarks they see, and decide where to move. Once they pick a spot, the Pathfinder reveals what’s there. It could be a treasure (yay!), a water source (phew!), or something more dangerous, like a trap or a curse (uh-oh). From there, the adventure unfolds as the team explores the jungle, uncovering more of its secrets with every turn.
To win, you need to find all the treasures and make it to the exit. If you find the exit before collecting everything, you technically win, but leaving treasures behind? That’s less than ideal. You want to collect them all, right? Be careful, though! If you reach the exit with more curses than amulets, it’s game over. Worse, if you discover a second curse and don’t have an amulet to cure it, the jungle claims your expedition, and the game ends immediately.
Resource management plays a big role, too. Water sources are lifesavers because they refill the Pathfinder’s ability to give clues by adding more tiles to their tracker. Traps, on the other hand, are bad news. They make you remove a tile from the tracker and permanently reduce how much water you can use to refill later.
If you’re in the mood for competition, Landmarks offers a team mode where two groups, each with their own Pathfinder, race to see who can collect four treasures first.
Game Info and Components
Landmarks, designed by Rodrigo Rego and Danilo Valente and published by Floodgate Games, is a word association game with a twist. It’s designed for 2 to 10 players, making it perfect for anything from an intimate game night to a lively gathering. With games lasting about 20 minutes, it’s quick enough to fit into busy schedules, and at ages 10 and up, it’s accessible for families, friends, and even younger players ready to put their thinking caps on.
The game’s design is compact and well thought out, making setup and storage a breeze. Inside the box, you’ll find a double-sided cloth map. One side showcases illustrations of an island’s terrain, while the other offers a minimalist grid layout, perfect for those who prefer a cleaner look. There’s also a tracker board to keep tabs on your progress, 32 landmark tiles where the Pathfinder can jot down clues using the included dry-erase marker, and a stack of 150 map cards. These cards include beginner-friendly options, standard challenges, and red cards for competitive play. Thanks to this variety of maps and scenarios, you won’t need to worry about memorizing specific details from previous games.
Gameplay Depth and Accessibility
One of the great things about Landmarks is how easy it is to jump into. The rules are straightforward enough that you can explain them in a few minutes, but the game offers enough to keep things interesting. It’s the kind of game that’s approachable for new players but still rewarding for those who love to dig into strategy. The combination of wordplay and teamwork challenges everyone at the table to think creatively and really get inside each other’s heads. And let’s be honest, figuring out what your Pathfinder meant by a clue like “Blue” can spark some truly hilarious conversations.
Wordplay Meets Strategy
At its heart, Landmarks is all about creative word association. The Pathfinder gives one-word clues that need to connect to landmarks already on the map, and the Explorers have to figure out where the Pathfinder wants them to go. It sounds simple enough, right? Well, here’s the twist: it’s not just about picking the right word, it’s also about managing your resources. Water spaces are crucial because they let the Pathfinder give more clues, and timing when to head for them can make all the difference. Treasures are the ultimate goal, but traps and curses can seriously throw a wrench in your plans. Traps force you to remove tiles from the tracker and limit how much water you can refill, while curses are downright nasty. If you can’t counter a second curse with an amulet, the game ends then and there. It’s the kind of challenge that keeps you on your toes, even if your toes are metaphorically stuck in quicksand.
Player Interaction and Replayability
The interaction between the Pathfinder and the Explorers is the heartbeat of the game. Every session feels different, thanks to the unique ways players interpret clues. Even if you’ve played a dozen times, no two games will ever feel the same. The compact components and folding cloth map make it a breeze to bring along for a weekend getaway or a game night at a friend’s place.
Sure, Landmarks will probably remind you of other word association games like Codenames. But it’s got its own vibe, thanks to the map-based gameplay. It’s not just about choosing the right word, it’s more about figuring out how to navigate the terrain. Who knew one word could make such a big difference?
Final Thoughts
We’ve had so much fun playing Landmarks. It’s always a blast to see how wildly different players interpret the same clue. There’s never a dull moment, and laughs are guaranteed, especially when someone confidently heads straight into a trap. It’s all about quick thinking and teamwork, which keeps everyone engaged and eager for the next turn. You’ll often find yourself saying, “Let’s play one more game,” only to realize time has flown by.
If you’re looking for a game that puts a fresh spin on word association, Landmarks is definitely worth a look. Just be ready for some hilariously questionable clues and a whole lot of fun. You’d think a clue like ‘Cold’ would make things crystal clear, but in Landmarks, it’s often just the start of a hilarious misadventure.
📝 We received a copy of the game from Floodgate Games.
