# The Guild of Merchant Explorers

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2022
- **BGG Rating**: 7.6
- **BGG Rank**: #363
- **Players**: 1-4 (Best with: 2)
- **Duration**: 45 min
- **Weight**: 2.05 / 5
- **Designers**: Brett J. Gilbert, Matthew Dunstan
- **Artists**: Gerralt Landman
- **Publishers**: Alderac Entertainment Group, CMON Global Limited, Delirium Games, Lucky Duck Games, Origames, Skellig Games, Tabletop KZ, YOKA Games, 株式会社ケンビル (KenBill)
- **Categories**: Adventure, Exploration, Fantasy
- **Mechanics**: Bingo, Chaining, Hexagon Grid, Hidden Victory Points, Line Drawing, Network and Route Building, Pattern Movement, Solo / Solitaire Game

## Verdict
Perfect for those who love 'fill-the-board' games with a touch of luck and heavy positioning strategy.Addictive bingo-style mechanicsGreat for solo or remote playSatisfying and intuitive componentsFast-paced and dynamic sessionsLuck of the draw dependencyIndirect player interactionRECOMMENDED

## Description
Imagine you are an ambitious explorer trying to map uncharted lands and expand your guild's influence. In The Guild of Merchant Explorers, the fun begins with each player on their own personal map, starting from a single home city. The heart of the game is the revelation of terrain cards: as cards are flipped, all players attempt to 'fill' their maps by placing cubes that connect to their starting city or existing expansions. It's almost like a strategic bingo, where you react to the deck's draw to plot your routes.

The challenge is that you don't just want to place cubes; you need a plan to cross oceans, colonize new lands, and establish new cities. Why are cities so crucial? Because at the end of each round, all your exploration cubes are removed. If you haven't founded new cities, you're back to square one! Cities act as your new starting points, allowing you to explore further reaches in the next turn. Additionally, you can scavenge wrecked ships for treasures that provide special placement bonuses, making your expansion much smoother.

There is also a race for common objectives. Those who complete specific goals first score more points, keeping the tension high. The game is incredibly flexible: it comes with multiple different maps and was designed so you can play with friends even if everyone is in their own home with their own copy of the game, as interaction happens through the shared revelation of cards. It's the perfect blend of network planning, space management, and that little bit of luck from the terrain draw.

## FAQ
### Is the game hard to learn?
Not at all! The rules are simple and intuitive, and since there's very little text, the learning curve is quite fast.

### Can I play it solo?
Yes, the game features an excellent solo mode for those who want to test their exploration efficiency.

### How long does a game take?
It usually lasts about 45 minutes, making it very agile.

### Do I need to know English to play?
Hardly. The game has very little text, making it accessible to everyone.

### How does player interaction work?
Interaction is indirect; you compete for the same common objectives and see who can expand the fastest.

## Price Comparison
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