Lost Cities: Roll & Write Final Thoughts

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A video outlining gameplay for the boardgame Lost Cities: Roll & Write.
For more game info, boardgamegeek....
Part I: Gameplay Runthrough
• Lost Cities: Roll & Wr...
Part II: Final Thoughts
• Lost Cities: Roll & Wr...

[@MaruelZain]

Interesting thoughts on the 2p game... I guess another way to make it closer to 3p or 4p is to do a dummy roll of 4 dice (instead of 6) simulating an extra player (or two) taking the roll and reserving two dice. It won't be the same but it should give more of those turns with fewer options. Thanks for the review!

[@rahdo]

yup, and maybe i should have mentioned that as the truly simply way to scale the game in 2p. after player takes their turn, they then roll 2 sets of dice that everyone chooses from. then next player takes their normal turn. super easy to implement, though maybe you could get into tough spots if you forget "was this my main roll or my automa roll"?

[@lucbombas]

@@rahdo TH

[@ronrubinstein8623]

My thoughts exactly! I was immediate reminded of the dummy rolls in Space Base that are commonly added to the 2p game, and really elevate the experience. Seems like an elegant and simple solution.

[@JuusoVainio]

It should be like this: With 4 players, you need to cross all 8 bridges to end the game. With 3 players, 6 bridges. With 2 players, only 4 bridges!

[@RuNacken]

That's a great, simple houserule I imagine everybody wants to implement. Good idea.

[@JJ_TheGreat]

1:00 Because in the card game you are dealing with a fixed number of cards - which causes tension (due to scarcity). However, in the dice version, you do not necessarily have that restriction - the dice can magically give you what you want. You do not know how often the color/number you are looking for will come up. This makes for a very different experience.

[@rahdo]

agreed. also, the fact that you're allowed to use the same number repeatedly on a given expedition rather than always having to go higher really changes things up

[@sukicly]

@@rahdo agree! I think one can easily house rule that duplicates are only allowed when “accelerated” for experienced/elder players. This needs to shorten the game though (like only 5 columns to win)

[@stacie_everdell]

I played this over a stream and you said it well, its a nice game for new comers to the hobby. I think seasoned players will be bored. That said, I've introduced new gamers to Welcome to... They picked up just fine and really enjoyed it.

[@TheNathanlockhart]

They forgot to add an element to this version that makes it unique or interesting compared to the card version, while removing interesting elements from the card game. Doubling is just a random guess, rather than selectively planning based on your cards. Which row you choose to start is meaningless. Just pick the lowest number, because who knows what's coming next. The card game has some interesting choices like "start with a 1 even though it's my only card of that color, or start with this 4,5,7 in a different color because I have several? " Imagine the original game except each turn you draw a new hand and play one card. Seems like a lazy implementation.

[@rahdo]

the main thing that adds meaning to choices is the race element, which did not exist in the original LC. tracks do have different strengths, so you might be inclined towards more artifacts or more acceleration, but you've got to weight that against how your opponents are doing in the race to cross the 8 bridges. if others have clear dominance in one track or another, that should definitely impact your choices when it comes to dice selection.