What do I think about Arctic Scavengers?
It's a deck-builder. I like deck-builders. Not all the time, but they are good to play.
This deck builder, in particular, adds a combative element to this type of game. Not just attacking the game as in "Dark Gothic", "Eminent Domain", "Thunderstone", and others, but attacking each other. Battling and vying for resources to survive and keeping "your people" alive.
The game is a little overbearing when playing with both expansions due to so many cards to read and be aware of, but it's doable, just plan a while to play or to get started. Playing with either "HQ" or "Recon" is good adding individual new elements to an otherwise basic game.
The time from on the box 45-60 minutes; this is not too far off. 3-5 minutes to prep the game; 5-10 minutes to learn the game; and 45-60 minute to play the game; all those times increase with the addition of an expansion; but in all cases there more time to be added while each player gets a grasp of what cards are available and how what they do (type, actions, modifiers, specials, etc.)
Over all, the game is nice and plays smooth. You'll stumble through your first game; well the first rounds and then the game finishes.
This should be 7 posts in a row now and when I hit "Post" I'll get the "Submitted a story for 7 days in a row" badge. But doing this every day has not been fun. I'm not a blogger, I just get bored once in a bit. So back to every other day or so; I tried.
Though I should, one day, post 4 stories in one day for that badge, but I want substance, not just some rehash of what someone else did, posted, or such; so maybe not.
"In the year 2097, the entire earth was enveloped in a cataclysmic climate shift plunging the globe into another ice age. Over 90% of the world's population was eliminated, driving the survivors to band together into loose communities and tribes."
The game is played by 2-5 players over (according to the box) 45-60 minutes and is rated for ages 13+.
To start the game each player start with a deck of 10 cards: four (4) refugee; three (3) scavenger; one (1) brawler; one (1) spear; one (1) shovel.
After shuffling these decks thoroughly, placing the "junkyard" pile and the "contested resources" pile, and finally laying out the game cards for purchase (mercenaries) in separate piles (Scavengers, Brawlers, Hunters, Saboteurs, Scouts, Group Leaders, Sniper Team, Thugs).
A series of 3 Phases will be played until the Contested Resource pile is exhausted.
Drawing Phase
-Discard all cards from the previous round
-Each players draws five (5) cards
-Then beginning in the third round, whoever has the "Initiator" card peeks at the top card of the contested resource.
Resource Gathering Phase
-The "Initiator" takes first action and uses any number of cards to gather resources.
--Actions to be taken: Dig for junk, Draw more cards, Hire new mercenaries, Hunt for food, Trash cards from your hand to the Junkyard, and perform special actions.
-The "Initiator" announces how many cards will be remaining for the "Skirmish."
-The each other player, in order, do the same steps; resources/keep cards for "Skirmish."
Skirmish Phase (Beginning Round 3)
-All players reveal remaining cards
--Beginning with "Initiator" perform any skirmish actions.
--Resolve remaining fight values and the highest wins
-The winner takes the top card from the "Contested Resource" pile and adds it to their discard pile.
-The "Initiator" card passes to the left.
There are 2 expansions for this game: "HQ": which I believe comes with the base game now which adds buildings; and "Recon" which adds more mercenaries.
The age rating makes sense as some elements of the game can be complicated, as well as the extensive reading and managing like cards together.
