7.9
rating
Ludopedia
7.5
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
If you're looking for an intense, real-time team battle, Captain Sonar delivers a thrilling submarine hunt where communication is everything.
Highlights
- Real-time, high-stakes team combat
- Engaging, distinct role-playing
- Excellent communication-driven gameplay
- Scales well for different player counts
Keep in mind
- Requires full player engagement
- Can be chaotic for some groups
RECOMMENDED
Learn How to Play Step by Step
Check out our interactive rules guide and exclusive illustrated infographic.
Access Rules Guide
Get ready for a breathtaking submarine battle in Captain Sonar! In this intense game, you and your team take control of a state-of-the-art submarine, with the mission to locate and destroy the enemy submarine before they can do the same to you. Every role on board is crucial, and team coordination is the key to victory in this merciless confrontation. Communication is vital, as a captain is nothing without his crew: the First Mate, the Radio Operator, and the Engineer.
Team members sit on opposite sides of the table, each taking on a specific role on the submarine, with the division of labor varying depending on the number of players. The Captain guides the submarine across the map, announcing its movements. The Radio Operator monitors the opposing captain's orders, trying to decipher the enemy submarine's location. Meanwhile, the Engineer works tirelessly in the engine room, preparing torpedoes, mines, and other essential devices for combat.
Captain Sonar offers two game modes: turn-by-turn or simultaneous. In simultaneous mode, the adrenaline is at its peak, with all teams acting at the same time, while trying to keep track of what their opponents are doing. When a captain decides to launch an attack, the game briefly pauses to check if a hit has been recorded. The tension is palpable: did the target escape, or are there debris scattered across the ocean floor? The game includes multiple maps, each with different difficulty levels, ensuring that every match is a new challenge.
Team members sit on opposite sides of the table, each taking on a specific role on the submarine, with the division of labor varying depending on the number of players. The Captain guides the submarine across the map, announcing its movements. The Radio Operator monitors the opposing captain's orders, trying to decipher the enemy submarine's location. Meanwhile, the Engineer works tirelessly in the engine room, preparing torpedoes, mines, and other essential devices for combat.
Captain Sonar offers two game modes: turn-by-turn or simultaneous. In simultaneous mode, the adrenaline is at its peak, with all teams acting at the same time, while trying to keep track of what their opponents are doing. When a captain decides to launch an attack, the game briefly pauses to check if a hit has been recorded. The tension is palpable: did the target escape, or are there debris scattered across the ocean floor? The game includes multiple maps, each with different difficulty levels, ensuring that every match is a new challenge.
GALLERY
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In English
2
OK
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BEST
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Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Matagot, Arclight Games, asmodee, Broadway Toys LTD, Bureau de Juegos, Choo Choo Games
Designer
Roberto Fraga, Yohan Lemonnier
Artist
Ervin, Piotr Forkasiewicz, Sabrina Tobal
How many players can participate in Captain Sonar?
Captain Sonar is ideal for larger groups, supporting 2 to 8 players. For a complete and more chaotic experience, it's best to play with 6 to 8 people, distributing the roles well.
What is the average game time?
A game of Captain Sonar usually lasts between 45 to 60 minutes, depending on the players' experience and the chosen game mode (turn-by-turn or simultaneous).
Is Captain Sonar a complex game?
With a BGG weight of 2.2051/5, Captain Sonar is considered to have low-medium complexity. The rules are easy to learn, but mastering team communication and strategy takes time.
What are the main components of the game?
The game comes with double-sided maps (dry erase surfaces), pens, player screens to hide information, and various markers for the different submarine roles and systems.
Who is Captain Sonar recommended for?
It's perfect for anyone looking for a team game with lots of interaction, deduction, and a dose of real-time adrenaline. Great for friends who enjoy communicating (and maybe shouting a bit!) during gameplay.
Is there a mode for fewer players?
Yes, it's possible to play with 2 players, where each controls an entire submarine, or with 4 players (two teams of two), but the richest and most immersive experience is with more people, where roles are more distributed.