I agree with other reviewers that the layout is unbalanced. Having said that, I've seen one player use a bad position to their advantage and be able to sweep the game, so even a potentially bad start can have its own opportunistic strategy. Although I don't love the gameplay, it's a visually appealing board, and plan to come back to it sometime.
This board looks unbalanced to me. Starting position more important than I'd like. If an opponent starts of with the top right boat and lucky dice there's not much you can do to recover. But it's a nice idea for a board.
I've only played 5 or 6 times, so forgive me, but I find it hard to do anything but kamikazi or die on this board. Starting position is a big factor, the loss to neutral is high, dice play a giant part, I don't see varied strategies and It's a super quick game everytime.
I think with some more thought and balancing it could turn into a good game.
The board plays differently with and without fog (with requires more luck)....starting position can be an issue, but the real problem on this board is the quality of the opponents. Anyone can win or lose a game late because of a bad move by an opponent, but on this board especially without fog, 1 or 2 players who have no idea how to play it can cost you the game in 3 turns without ever having taken a move. I am fine with that, but it is a reason to not give this a 9 or 10...I would like to play with 4 players who know exactly how to play the game, that could be interesting.
Defineately a quick game board. Not as much strategy to it as I would prefer but the big elimination bonus speaks to it being a quick elimination type board. Advantage to the top right and bottom boat. Would like to see the cards increase to allow people to come back should 1 player screw it up and get killed early, with the big elimination bonus you would likely want to remove card capture if you did this.
Full fog is not my favorite, but this board uses it very well. FUN when you win, yet frustrating when you lose because the history is fogged(the screen...not the action)
the graphics are great! I believe the people that start at the top boat or bottom boat have a big advantage, but still alot of fun! Would definitely play this board again.
It may be unfair for some starting locations, but it's still awesome! Start from your crab boat and catch as many as you can as fast as you can, but be careful, because some other fisherman has his eye on your haul, and will soon come calling to steal it all. The trick to this game is striking hard and fast -- don't relent! -- and always trying to guess where your opponents are hiding out. You need lady luck by your side more so than with other maps, but just have fun and roll with the waves!
Seems to be some favorable starts, though the board is quick enough so that you don't have to pay for it with turn after mind-numbing turn. Having to figure out connections by constantly going to the design tab is annoying. That said, I still had fun playing it, so there must be that undefined something about the map.
I like the idea behind the hidden territories and bonuses, even if WG doesn't really support it (you can see the bonuses in the Design tab). Definitely a daring little board that also happens to be reasonably playable.