Argoat Review: A fantastic adventure board game of cooperation and strategy
Argoat is a board game set in a magical world where you must collect eight ancient pieces of knowledge to reach the paradise of Eden.
The true appeal of this game lies in the dramatic developments that arise from the negotiations and cooperation between players, and the final bargaining.
In this article, we will explain in detail the appeal and concerns of Argoat based on an actual gameplay review.
Game Basics
Argoat is a competitive card game created as part of the "Worlds of Mystery" series.
- Players: 3-5
- Playtime: 45-60 minutes
- Ages: 10 and up
- Designer: Y. Ohashi
Players aim to reach the legendary paradise of Eden, a land of unparalleled beauty where its inhabitants are granted eternal life.
The core mechanic of the game is gathering knowledge as you travel across frontiers (location cards).
The first player to collect all eight pieces of ancient knowledge and reach Eden wins.
What makes it unique is that players can expand the board by placing Frontier cards during the game, creating a different terrain each time.
The allure of Argoat: the quest for knowledge in a fantastical world
Experience a magical adventure to reach the paradise of Eden while collecting eight pieces of ancient knowledge.
Beautiful artwork and luxurious components
The visual beauty greatly enhances the gaming experience.
Argoat's greatest appeal is its artwork, which "makes the themes feel magical in diverse settings."
The illustration, "featuring a beautiful fantasy-like girl and a fluffy rabbit," is striking.
Of particular note is the " rabbit piece called Briana, specially commissioned for Argoat, " which features "gorgeous and eye-catching components, including sparkling emeralds."
Brianna's piece has such a strong presence that people are saying things like, "Brianna's piece is bigger than the player's piece," and "It's huge!"
Dynamically Changing Game Board
Players place Frontier cards, allowing you to enjoy different terrain each time you play the game.
A major feature is that "the addition of new frontiers keeps things fresh throughout the game."
By "traveling on a map created by arranging cards," players can "arrange cards themselves, from a neatly arranged board to a chaotic board, allowing for a different gameplay experience every time."
Players "can place the frontier wherever they want, as long as the roads are properly connected," and "must predict where future frontiers will be located, adding a bit of a detective element to the game."
A perfect balance between cooperation and negotiation
The most interesting part of this game is the tension that shifts from cooperation in the early stages to bargaining in the latter stages.
"When you actually play Argoat, it's not a game of obstructing other players, but a game of sharing knowledge with each other and heading towards Eden," but there is strategic depth to it.
"Players can also trade knowledge, emeralds, and items to gain an advantage.
However, experienced players tend to be more cautious about trading, and this mechanic was used less in later play.
"In the beginning, we play harmoniously, thinking, 'Let's share as much knowledge as we can, and make sure we don't lose anything,' but as we approach the second half, the atmosphere becomes more tense, with players thinking, 'If we share any more, someone else will reach the finish line first...!' That's the real fun."
Strategic items and rabbit system
A unique system utilizing tool cards and Brianna enhances strategy.
" Tool cards are what we call items.
By using tool cards with powerful effects, such as the ability to move three times, you can gain an advantage in the game.
Another appealing feature is the unique system: "By feeding Brianna emeralds, players can move the number of squares they have." "Since each move makes a big difference in the game, using Brianna well seems to determine victory or defeat."
Concerns and solutions
We will introduce some issues you should be aware of and how to solve them to enjoy Argoat even more.
Middling difficulty settings
Being somewhere between casual and hardcore can be a constraint.
"Argoat is a fun and unique experience, but it's limited by being somewhere between casual and hardcore," it notes.
"It's well-designed with an attractive presentation, but it feels like it's missing something special."
countermeasure:
The game has two ways to play: a beginner mode and a more complete experience.
The beginner mode is a little shorter and is recommended for your group's first few games, so you can start with the easy mode and then move on to the full rules as you get used to it.
The issue of victory conditions being achieved too early
The game tends to end before you can fully enjoy the excitement.
One challenge is that "the game usually ends just before it gets interesting, which is probably because the victory conditions are a little too easy."
countermeasure:
The editorial department has also suggested local rules to increase the randomness, such as "starting with two items" and "placing any location card from the start," as well as suggestions for creative ways to play, so we recommend introducing house rules once you get used to the game.
Use of the negotiation system
Negotiation mechanics may not be fully utilized between senior players.
As players get more advanced, they tend to be more cautious about trading, and this mechanic tends to be used less in later gameplay.
countermeasure:
If you're playing with other beginners or with your family, you can fully enjoy the game's true charm by focusing on actively sharing information and enjoying negotiations.
Recommended for these people and occasions
We will introduce the people and play scenes that will particularly enjoy Argoat.
As a family game
It's designed to be perfect for weekend gaming with the family.
The game is suitable for ages 10 and up and has a moderate play time of around 45 minutes, making it the perfect weekend game for the whole family.
The beautiful artwork will appeal to all ages, and the theme of "Working Together to Eden" is perfect for families who value cooperation over competition.
Board game beginners gathering
The game is designed to be easy for beginners to play, with just the right amount of strategy.
"There's a fair amount of strategy involved, but it's mostly about figuring out where to go and the best place to place the frontier," so the strategy isn't too complex, making it accessible to beginners.
Fun that changes depending on the number of people
This is a game that can be enjoyed in different ways depending on the number of participants.
"When there were a large number of participants, players exchanged and shared more frequently, which made it easier to collect knowledge cards in a hurry, and it seemed like the playing time was shorter than when playing with three people," he said. As the number of participants increased, the elements of cooperation and negotiation became more active, providing a different kind of fun.
People who like a fantasy worldview
Highly recommended for those who want to immerse themselves in a fantasy world.
As part of the " Worlds of Mystery " series, the fascinating world depicted by "Gorgeous art by Asahiro" is a must-have for fantasy fans.
Adorable characters such as a "beautiful fantasy girl and a fluffy rabbit" also add to the atmosphere of the game.
Argoat is a game that "there's a lot to love in the right people."
While it's not perfect, the beautiful artwork, unique gameplay, and unique balance of cooperation and competition create a unique experience that will likely make it an attractive choice for many players.
Come experience this fantastical adventure to reach the paradise of Eden.
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