Dark Venture

Gilded Skull Games · Board game · 2019
— Ludopedia 7.2 BGG 1–4 · best 3 Solo 60–90 min Weight 2.9/5
Buy
— rating Ludopedia
7.2 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

Dark Venture is a treat for those who love tabletop RPGs and narrative exploration but don't want to spend hours setting up a complex campaign. The game shines by creating a unique atmosphere of survival in a dystopian world, where each location card reveals a piece of the story. It is perfect for both solo sessions and groups that enjoy cooperating on challenging quests. Replayability is guaranteed by the modular board and the variety of cards.

Highlights
  • Immersive narrative and retro theme
  • Excellent solo and cooperative modes
  • Modular board ensures high replayability
  • Strategic resource management
Keep in mind
  • Requires constant reading of text
  • Dice rolling involves significant luck
  • Rules can feel dense at first
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

Ever wondered what it would be like to explore a dystopian future where magic has fused with technological ruins? Dark Venture is exactly that kind of journey. With a retro feel and a heavy focus on narrative, the game drops you and your friends (or just yourself, in solo mode) into the wilds of Darkgrange. The world is a mess of ravaged roads and abandoned buildings, inhabited by magical mutants who are definitely not happy to see you. The core mechanic revolves around a deck of cards that you manage to perform actions, gear up your heroes, and explore the map. You spend Action Points to place Location cards on the board, which act as the 'chapters' of your story: once revealed, you read narrative entries that set up the challenges and decisions the group must face. It’s not just about hacking and slashing monsters; it’s about choosing the right path and filling your inventory with weapons, potions, and magical artifacts found along the way. The flexibility is a huge plus: you can play competitively, trying to rack up more Quest Points than your rivals, or join forces in cooperative mode to survive together until the day ends. The game offers short sessions of 6 rounds or full campaigns of 12 rounds, which is perfect for fitting into your schedule. The vibe is like playing a streamlined tabletop RPG, where the modular board ensures that every exploration feels a bit different from the last. If you enjoy games that blend exploration, hand management, and that post-apocalyptic survival feel filled with flavor text and story, Dark Venture delivers a highly immersive experience. It’s a treat for those who love watching a story unfold on the table while trying to optimize their character's resources to avoid becoming mutant bait. Get ready to face the uncertainties of Darkgrange and see if your group can complete their quests before time runs out!

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

10 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

1–4 players
1 BEST
2 REC
3 BEST
4 BEST

Soundtrack

Ambience suggested by Melodice

Loading playlist...

Where to Buy

Prices monitored daily

Finding best prices...

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability subject to change.

Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Digital Implementations: Tabletopia Players: Games with expansions that change player count Players: Games with Solitaire Rules
Publisher Gilded Skull Games
Designer Rob Lemon
Artist Rob Lemon

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

954owners
618wishlist
118want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
Does the game work well for a single player?
Yes! The solo mode is a highlight, allowing you to choose between short 6-round games or long 12-round campaigns, providing a great challenge.
How long does a game take?
It depends on the chosen mode: short games take about 20-30 minutes, while full games take 60-90 minutes.
Do I need a lot of table space?
Since the board is modular and made of cards, it takes up a reasonable amount of space but is much more compact than traditional board games.
Is the game very luck-dependent?
There is a luck component in dice rolls and card draws, but your hand management and tactical decisions help mitigate those risks.
Is there a lot of text in the game?
Yes, the game is very narrative-driven, so be prepared to read quite a bit of flavor text and story entries during your turns.
Is it a cooperative or competitive game?
It offers both! You can play against your friends to see who scores more points or work as a team to survive the dangers of Darkgrange.

Other Games You'll Like

Based on mechanics and theme

8 games