# Alcatraz

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2025
- **BGG Rating**: 7.3
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 2-5
- **Duration**: 20-40 min
- **Weight**: —
- **Designers**: Laila Terra
- **Artists**: Dandi, João Mateus Luciano
- **Publishers**: Bucaneiros Jogos
- **Categories**: Animals, Card Game, Memory, Number
- **Mechanics**: Catch the Leader, Contracts, Memory, Score-and-Reset Game

## Verdict
If you enjoy card games that blend memory and a bit of strategy with a super fun theme of cats escaping prison, Alcatraz is for you! It's fast, straightforward, and has that "just one more round" appeal.Sharp memory and strategyFun and unique themeQuick and dynamic gamesEasy-to-learn rulesMemory dependentCan involve luckLittle direct interactionRECOMMENDED

## Description
Get ready for a feline escape from Alcatraz! In Alcatraz, you lead a crew of clever cats trying to break out of the feared prison controlled by dogs. The game is an addictive mix of memory and strategy, where each player manages a row of face-down cards. The twist is that you can only peek at a few of them during the game, making memory your best friend (or enemy!).

On your turn, the play is simple: you can draw a card from the deck or discard piles to add to your personal row, swap an existing card, or use the special ability of a card already in play. The main goal is to complete the 'Objectives' laid out in the center of the table. To do this, you need to have two or three adjacent cards in your row that add up to the exact number requested by the objective. If successful, those cards become your victory points, and a new objective appears. The key to success lies in using your memory to your advantage, planning your moves intelligently, and knowing the right time to activate card effects, all without revealing too much of your strategy.

The round ends when a player runs out of cards. After two complete rounds, whoever has "rescued" the most cats (i.e., achieved the highest score) is the winner of this epic escape. Alcatraz is a fast-paced game with easy-to-learn rules, but it demands good reasoning and a sharp memory. Perfect for those who enjoy a strategic challenge with a touch of luck and a super fun theme!

## How to Play
Objective of the Game
In a world ruled by dogs, the cats are imprisoned in Alcatraz. Your mission is to free as many cats from the prison as possible. To do this, you must fulfill Objective cards by adding two or three adjacent cards from your row. Each card used to complete an objective is worth 1 point. The player who scores the most points at the end of 2 rounds wins the game.

Setup
Follow these steps to get the game ready:

    Cat (prisoner) cards: Shuffle the deck and deal 4 cards to each player. Each player must arrange these cards in a row, all face-down, in front of them.
    Objective deck: Shuffle the deck and reveal 3 Objective cards face up in the center of the table to form the objective row.
    Draw deck: This is made up of the remaining cat cards.
    Discard piles: Take two cards from the draw deck and create two separate discard piles (with one card each) next to the draw deck.

Important Memory Rule: Before the game begins, each player may look at only one card in their row. They must return it face down in the same position. From that moment on, players may only look at their cards again if a specific game effect allows it.

Game Flow
The game is played over 2 rounds. A round continues until a player uses all of their cards in their row.
Turn Order: The person who most recently petted a cat starts the first game. In subsequent rounds, the first player is the one to the left of the last player who used all of their cards in the previous round.
Round End: When a player has no cards left in their row, the round ends. Every other player who has not yet played in that round may finish their turn so that everyone has taken the same number of turns. After the first round ends, players receive new cards until they have 4 again, placed at the right end of their row face down, and the next round begins.

Actions and How to Play
On your turn, you may perform each of the following actions at most once:

Draw a Card
You can draw a card from the draw deck (face down) or from one of the discard piles (face up).

    If drawing from the draw deck: Look at the card and choose one of these three options:
        
            Swap: Replace one card in your row with the new card (keeping it face down). The replaced card goes to a discard pile face up.
            Use ability: Activate the card's effect (if possible), then discard it.
            Discard: Discard the card without using it.
        
    
    If drawing from a discard pile: Choose the top card of one of the two discard piles and replace one of the cards in your row with it. The new card is placed face up in your row, and the replaced card is revealed to the discard pile.


Fulfill an Objective
After your draw action, you may choose to fulfill one Objective card if possible. To do this, you must:

    Announce which Objective card you intend to complete.
    Flip face up two or three adjacent cards from your row to match the number on the Objective card.

Critical Rules for Fulfilling Objectives:

    Zero Subtotal: You are not allowed to fulfill an objective using a sum of two cards that yields a zero subtotal (e.g., [-1] and [+1]).
    Overlapped Cards: Cards being used as an effect (such as adding/subtracting 1 or changing a card's sign) do NOT count toward the sum. These must be discarded to the discard deck.
    Incorrect Declaration: If you incorrectly declare an objective, you must discard the cards used in the calculation to a discard pile and refill the same number of face-down cards from the draw deck on the right side of your row.

Completing the Action: Once an objective is successfully fulfilled, discard the Objective card. Collect the cards used in the calculation (excluding overlapped ones) and keep them near you as a victory point pile. Finally, refill the objective row by drawing a new face-up card to the center, and refill your row by drawing a new face-down card for the right end of your row (regardless of how many cards were used).

End of Game and Scoring
The game ends after 2 rounds. The player with the highest total points wins.
Scoring:

    Each card in your victory point pile is worth 1 point.
    Tiebreaker 1: If players are tied, the winner is the player with more circles around their score (awarded to players who finished their cards at the end of each round).
    Tiebreaker 2: If the tie persists, tied players may choose to play a third round as a tiebreaker.


Tips for Winning
Consulte o manual para detalhes sobre esta seção.

## FAQ
### What is the average playtime for Alcatraz?
Games are quite fast, usually lasting between 20 and 40 minutes, depending on the number of players and how quickly you manage to complete the objectives!

### How many players can participate?
Alcatraz is designed for 2 to 5 players, making it quite versatile for different groups.

### Is the game complicated? Does it take long to learn?
Not at all! The rules are quite straightforward, and there's minimal text on the cards, which makes it much easier. You'll get the hang of it quickly and be escaping in no time!

### Is it a game for those who like to think a lot, or for those who want something lighter?
It hits a nice sweet spot! It requires memory and some planning to complete objectives, but the theme and speed make it all very light and fun. It's not a game that will give you a headache.

### Is there a lot of player interaction?
The interaction is more indirect. You compete for objectives and can use some card effects that affect others, but it's not a direct confrontation game. The focus is more on your own escape and memory.

### What type of player is Alcatraz best suited for?
It's perfect for those who enjoy card games with memory mechanics, that don't take too much time, and have a captivating and unique theme. Great for playing with family or friends who don't want something too heavy.

## Price Comparison
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  - See all on Compara Jogos: https://www.comparajogos.com.br/item/alcatraz