AuZtralia — Prices

SchilMil Games, Ltd., Arclight Games, Ediciones MasQueOca · Board game · 2018
8.0 Ludopedia 7.3 BGG 1–4 · best 3 Solo 30–120 min Weight 2.9/5
Buy · from US$ 49.99
8.0 rating Ludopedia
7.3 rating BGG
Our Verdict
FOR GENRE FANS

Perfect for those who love the Lovecraftian vibe mixed with management Eurogames; the 'awakening' tension is fantastic.

Highlights
  • Immersive cosmic horror atmosphere
  • Very clever time management mechanic
  • Surprisingly challenging solo mode
  • Varied board setup every game
Keep in mind
  • Learning curve for beginners
  • Requires external translations
Rules manual not indexed yet Upload the PDF rulebook to ask questions about this game with AI.

About the game

What you do in a play session

Imagine the 1930s, but in an alternate reality. The northern hemisphere has been poisoned, and starvation is the norm. The only hope? Exploring the wild lands of Australia. It sounds like a great plan, right? Wrong. What the adventurers didn't know is that the Old Ones—those terrifying cosmic entities—and their remaining human armies retreated to the outback to lick their wounds. Now, they are awakening, and you are right in their path.

In AuZtralia, you take on the role of one of these intrepid explorers. The game is an intense blend of economic management and survival. You'll need to build ports, expand railways, mine for riches, and farm for food to avoid starving. But don't be fooled: every action you take consumes the game's most precious resource: time. While you strive for wealth, the clock ticks until the Old Ones awaken and become an active player on the board, moving and causing devastation wherever they go.

To survive, you must recruit Personalities with specific skills and assemble military units to locate and fight these nightmares. By default, the game is semi-cooperative: you might help each other to defeat the most dangerous Old Ones, but in the end, either one single winner emerges triumphant, or everyone loses to cosmic insanity. If you prefer full teamwork, the rulebook includes a fully cooperative variant.

Prepare yourself for a game where greed and fear walk hand in hand. Can you build an empire while fighting off madness, or will you just be another victim of the awakening? The tension is constant, especially in the solo mode, where the feeling of isolation in the outback makes everything even more desperate.

Expansions

Published additional content

3 items

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

12 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

1–4 players
1 REC
2 REC
3 BEST
4 REC

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Components: Map (Regional scale) Country: Australia Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Digital Implementations: Tabletopia Misc: LongPack Games Players: Games with expansions that change player count Players: Games with Solitaire Rules Region: Oceania Series: The Great Designers (Stronghold Games) Theme: Cthulhu Mythos
Publisher SchilMil Games, Ltd., Arclight Games, Ediciones MasQueOca, Giochix.it, JOYPIE, Ludofy Creative, Nuts! Publishing, PHALANX, Schwerkraft-Verlag, Stronghold Games
Designer Martin Wallace
Artist James Colmer

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

8,226owners
1,785wishlist
293want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

5 questions
Is the game too complex?
Yes, it's considered an 'Expert' game. It has several layers of rules (economy, combat, and time), so be ready to study the manual.
Can I play it solo?
Yes! The solo mode is one of its strongest points, described as very tense and rewarding.
How long does a game take?
It varies, but expect anywhere from 30 minutes for quick games to up to 2 hours for deeper sessions.
Is there a language barrier?
Moderate. You'll likely need translated sheets or cards to play fluently if you aren't comfortable with the original language.
Is it cooperative or competitive?
By default, it's semi-cooperative (one wins or everyone loses), but there's a fully cooperative variant for those who prefer teamwork.

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