WBG Score: 8
Player Count: 2-4
You’ll like this if you like: Vaalbara,
Published by: KOSMOS
Designed by: Kane Klenko
This is a free review copy. See our review policy here
Some games have an immediate appeal when you see them set up and others enjoying them. I can envision Nunatak being a major hit at conventions this year for that very reason. The large semi-transparent plastic cubes used to build pyramids give it a visually appealing and fun look, even before considering the rules, mechanics, and strategy. But is it any good? Yes, it certainly is. The scoring mechanics alone are fascinating. So, let's get it to the table and see how it plays.
How To Set Up Nunatak
Before your first game, time for some arts and crafts! Construct the temple dome according to the punch board illustration. Then place this down on the table. Now, assemble the frame parts at the table's centre, ensuring each builder bar faces a player. Then organise the floor tiles into four piles by their numbered backs (1, 2, 3, 4) and shuffle each pile separately. Randomly place the 25 level1 floor tiles face down in a 5x5 layout within the frame. Stack the remaining three piles face down, creating a single stack: stack 4 beside the game board, stack 3 atop stack 4, and stack 2 atop stack 3.
Similarly, sort building cards into four piles by their numbered backs (1, 2, 3, 4) and shuffle each pile individually. Place the stacks face down, with stack 1 atop and stack 4 beneath. Position this draw pile beside the game board.
Reveal the top four building cards, placing them face up nearby to form the display. Shuffle the blessing cards and place them face down near the game schedule. Reveal the top two blessing cards, positioning them face up next to the deck.
Finally, each player takes a player sheet and selects a colour and takes the18 ice blocks, 100/200 score marker and two marker stones in that colour. if you are playing a two player game, both players will also take half of the blocks of one other colour as well. Each player now places one marker on the zero space of the score track and the other on the first space of your builder track closest to them. You are now ready to play.
How To Play Nunatak
Players will now take turns selecting one of the face-up building cards and placing one of their ice blocks onto a matching space on the board. Each card displays one of the matching symbols on the tiles on the main board, determining where you can place your blocks. The builder card also allows you to swap the positions of two floor tiles. The Elder card lets you choose one of the face-up blessing cards.
Once a 2x2 space on the board is completed, place the next tile in the stack on top of it. You can now build onto this secondary level. There will be four building levels in the game. When you do this, the player with the most blocks in this 2x2 formation will score five points. In case of a tie, the player whose turn it is wins. The player with the second most will score two points. Ties result in players sharing the points, with each receiving one point.
When you place a block onto another level, you will score one point for each of the four blocks below it that is your own color.
Completing a row or column allows you to move your marker on the architect track by one space, linked with the architect building cards and affecting your final score.
Some building cards show two images. You can pick the one that works best for you. When you take a building card, place it into your area and group them accordingly. This way, you will know how many of each you have, important for end-game scoring.
The game ends when the fourth level is complete. The player who placed the most tiles on the first level's outer edge can place the Temple cap onto the top of the structure, scoring a bonus seven points.
Players now tally up their final points for each group of building cards they acquired.
Builder cards earn 20 points for the player with the most cards. Others get two points per card.
Sculptor cards score based on total numbers. One card yields three points. Ten cards could score up to 75!
Artisan cards offer varied points. Each set earns 10 points, plus two points for every two cards of any type, three eights points for each three, 15 for each four, and 24 for each set of five.
Beast of Burden cards' scores multiply by the total symbols on all cards by the number of cards.
Architect cards score similarly, multiplying the total cards by the current Architect track level.
Elder cards score one point per matching symbol on other cards. For example, two Elder cards with Architect symbols and five Architect cards yield ten points.
Each set of each type also scores a ten-point bonus. Points can really escalate!
Is It Fun? Nunatak Board Game Review
Nunatak is a fast-paced game that will instantly grab you. It's so easy to learn and teach, getting you up and running within minutes. Turns are equally speedy, with just a few choices of which building card to take and where to place it. However, watch out for completing rows, colours, and 2x2 spaces, as well as the scoring metrics when building onto higher levels. It's easy to miss some of the scoring and bonuses this triggers.
But here's the interesting part: the game truly comes alive within the scoring mechanism. While it may seem all about the building, Nunatak is a visually stunning game with a deeper focus on scoring. While it's visually stunning during gameplay and after completion, the real essence lies within the scoring. It's essentially a set collection game with elements of area majority, but the big bonuses come from the cards at the end.
The blessing cards bring a delightful element of variety to each game. With a total of 20 cards available, you'll typically only acquire 2-6 per game. This means you'll encounter and utilize different ones each time, adding freshness to your gameplay experience. Some of these cards offer intriguing powers and scoring options, both as you play and when you tally up the final points at the end of the game.
This combination delivers much more than you might expect. Initially assumed to be a light family game focused on visuals and physical components over strategy and gameplay, Nunatak proves otherwise. With its potential for winning awards, it catches your eye with its looks and delivers a fantastic game experience with its intriguing scoring mechanics.
I'd recommend Nunatak to anyone who enjoys set collection games with a visual punch. It could be the standout game of the convention circuit this summer—get ready for your social feeds to be inundated with pictures of people building plastic/ice towers, starting with mine!
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