# The 7th Continent ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2017 - **BGG Rating**: 7.7 - **BGG Rank**: #163 - **Players**: 1-4 (Best with: 1) - **Duration**: 5-1000 min - **Weight**: 2.90 / 5 - **Designers**: Bruno Sautter, Ludovic Roudy - **Artists**: Ludovic Roudy - **Publishers**: Serious Poulp - **Categories**: Adventure, Card Game, Exploration, Science Fiction - **Mechanics**: Area Movement, Cooperative Game, Hand Management, Map Addition, Modular Board, Narrative Choice / Paragraph ## Verdict If you're looking for an immersive, choose-your-own-adventure style campaign that truly feels like an expedition, The 7th Continent will captivate you for hours on end. It's a fantastic cooperative experience for those who love deep exploration and narrative. Unparalleled choose-your-own-adventure exploration Deeply immersive narrative campaign Clever save system for long plays Rewarding crafting and survival mechanics Significant time commitment required Can feel repetitive for some High complexity for new players HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ## Description Get ready for an epic adventure in the early 20th century! In 'The 7th Continent', you and your friends (or just you, if you're brave enough) embark on a journey to unravel the mystery of a terrible curse that has haunted you since a previous expedition. Inspired by classic 'choose-your-own-adventure' books, this cooperative exploration game will take you to a newly discovered continent, full of dangers and wonders. Each step reveals new terrain cards and unexpected events, transforming the map with every play. You'll need all your wit and cunning to survive, crafting tools, weapons, and even shelters to face the challenges. Forget quick games: 'The 7th Continent' is a campaign experience that can last hours, days, or even weeks! But don't worry, the game features a super practical save system, allowing you to stop and resume your adventure at any time, just like a video game. Your mission is clear: find the cure for the curse... or perish trying. It's a true narrative immersion where your choices matter and every discovery is a step closer (or further!) to your goal. Embrace the unknown and prepare for one of the most unique experiences a board game can offer! ## How to Play Objective of the Game Welcome, intrepid explorer, to the mysterious and perilous lands of The 7th Continent! In this cooperative adventure, you and your fellow players are cursed explorers returning to a land you once visited, now shrouded in enigma and danger. Your ultimate goal is to lift the curse that afflicts you. This isn't just about survival; it's about unraveling ancient mysteries, making tough choices, and discovering what truly lies hidden on this forgotten continent. Success means breaking free from the curse and reclaiming your destiny! Preparation (Setup) Before you embark on your epic journey, let's get the table ready. While the manual doesn't detail every single component, here’s a general idea of how to prepare for your adventure: Clear a large play area: You'll be exploring a vast continent, and the game will expand as you reveal new territories. Separate game components: Organize your cards by type (e.g., terrain cards, action cards, item cards, character cards). Choose your explorer: Each player selects a unique character, each with their own starting abilities and quirks. Set up the starting area: Place the initial terrain cards as indicated by your chosen curse scenario. This is where your adventure begins! Prepare the Action Deck: This deck is central to almost everything you do. Make sure it's shuffled and accessible. Gather your dice: You'll need these for various challenges and actions throughout the game. The Game Turn The 7th Continent flows organically, with players taking actions to explore, survive, and advance their quest. While the manual doesn't break down turns into rigid phases, the core gameplay revolves around these actions: Explore the Continent: The primary way to progress is by revealing new terrain cards. This expands your world, offering new challenges, resources, and clues. Perform Actions: Most actions in the game involve drawing cards from the Action Deck. The more difficult or risky an action, the more cards you'll likely need to draw. Success and Failure: Drawing cards from the Action Deck determines your success. You'll often be looking for specific symbols or a certain number of successes. Spending Cards: Sometimes, you'll need to spend cards from your hand or from the Action Deck to fuel your actions or mitigate negative effects. Manage your Inventory: You'll find and craft various item cards and development cards. These are crucial for survival and overcoming obstacles. Keep track of what you have and how it can help you. Overcome Challenges: The continent is full of dangers, from wild beasts to treacherous environments. You'll face challenges that require specific actions, items, or a bit of luck with the Action Deck. Make Decisions: Many cards present you with choices that will impact your journey, leading to different paths and outcomes. Choose wisely! End of Game and Scoring The 7th Continent is not about accumulating points; it's about achieving your objective. The game ends when: You lift the curse: This is the ultimate victory condition! By following the clues, overcoming challenges, and making the right decisions, you will eventually find a way to break free from the curse that binds you. You succumb to the continent: If your explorer or the group runs out of resources, health, or fails to overcome critical challenges, the curse may consume you, leading to a loss. There is no "scoring" in the traditional sense. Your success is measured by whether you survive and manage to lift the curse. It's a binary outcome: you either win by breaking the curse or lose by succumbing to it. Tips for Winning While the manual doesn't provide explicit "tips for winning," the nature of the game suggests some crucial strategies: Resource Management is Key: Every card in the Action Deck is a precious resource. Think carefully before spending cards, as running out can be disastrous. Conserve your strength and items! Explore Strategically: Don't just blindly flip cards. Pay attention to the clues on terrain cards and the narrative. Sometimes, avoiding a dangerous path to find a safer, more rewarding one is the smarter move. Cooperate and Communicate: As a cooperative game, teamwork is vital. Discuss your options, share information about your hands, and plan your actions together. Your combined efforts are your greatest asset against the continent's perils. ## FAQ ### How many players can play The 7th Continent? The 7th Continent is super flexible! It can be played solo, for those who love a solitary adventure, or in cooperative mode with up to 4 explorers. The experience changes a bit, but fun is guaranteed in any setup. ### What is the average game duration? Prepare for a marathon! Unlike most games, The 7th Continent is a campaign that can last from 5 to 1000 minutes, meaning days or even weeks of actual playtime. But don't worry, the save system allows you to stop and resume at any time. ### What is the game's complexity level? With a BGG weight of 2.89/5, it's considered medium-high complexity. The basic rules are accessible, but the depth of choices, hand management, and constant exploration require strategy and planning. It's not a game for absolute beginners, but rewarding for those seeking a challenge. ### Does The 7th Continent have many components? Yes, it's packed with components! Expect many terrain, event, item, and character cards, plus miniatures and a modular board that expands as you explore. It's a true box of surprises that builds the world before your eyes. ### Who is The 7th Continent recommended for? It's perfect for those who love exploration, adventure, and narrative games, especially fans of 'choose-your-own-adventure' and long campaigns. If you enjoy being immersed in a story and aren't afraid to invest time in a unique experience, this game is for you! ### Do I need expansions for the full experience? The base game already offers a robust experience and many hours of gameplay. Expansions add new curses, characters, and areas to explore, further increasing replayability and longevity, but they are not strictly necessary to enjoy the main adventure. ### Does the game have high language dependency? Yes, the language dependency is quite high. There's a lot of text on event, terrain, and item cards, which are crucial for the narrative and choices. A good understanding of English or a translation is essential to fully enjoy the immersion.