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Lost Ruins of Arnak box image

Lost Ruins of Arnak

Lost Ruins of Arnak is a deck-building and worker placement game where players explore an island, uncovering ancient artifacts, battling guardians, and managing resources to gain points and ultimately discover the lost ruins.

8.08 / 10
BGG Rating
12+
age
2020
published year
1 - 4
player count
1 - 4
Recommended player count
30 - 120 mins
play time

How Complex is Lost Ruins of Arnak?

2.91 / 5

Lost Ruins of Arnak has a moderate complexity, with a mix of deck-building and worker placement mechanics, but is easy to learn with clear rules and iconography.

How much Luck is involved in the gameplay of Lost Ruins of Arnak?

2.5 / 5

Luck plays a moderate role in the game, with some random card draws and exploration tiles. However, strategic decisions and resource management have a greater impact on gameplay.

How much Player Interaction does Lost Ruins of Arnak offer?

3 / 5

The game has limited direct player interaction, with some competition for resources and exploration sites. However, players mostly focus on their own strategies and paths to victory.

How much Replayability does Lost Ruins of Arnak offer?

4 / 5

The game offers a variety of strategies and paths to victory, with randomized exploration tiles and a modular deck-building system. The inclusion of multiple player powers and variable setup also adds to replayability.

Why you should play Lost Ruins of Arnak

Unique Theme

Lost Ruins of Arnak has a unique theme of exploring an ancient civilization and discovering its secrets. This theme is not commonly found in other board games, making it a refreshing and exciting experience for players.

Engaging Gameplay

The game combines deck-building and worker placement mechanics, making it a challenging and engaging experience for players. The gameplay is easy to learn but difficult to master, providing a good balance of strategy and luck.

Beautiful Artwork

The game features stunning artwork and high-quality components, making it visually appealing and immersive.

Solo Play

The game has a solo mode, allowing players to enjoy the game even when they don't have a group to play with.

Replayability

The game has a modular board and a variety of cards, ensuring that each game is different and provides a new challenge for players.

Cooperative Play

The game has a cooperative mode, allowing players to work together to achieve a common goal.

Awards

Lost Ruins of Arnak has won several awards, including the 2020 Golden Geek Board Game of the Year, making it a highly recommended game to play.

Why you should avoid Lost Ruins of Arnak

Complexity

While the game is easy to learn, it can be quite complex and overwhelming for some players, especially those who are new to board games.

Luck-Based

Despite the strategic elements of the game, luck plays a significant role in determining the outcome of the game. This may not appeal to players who prefer games with less luck involved.

Lengthy Playtime

The game can take up to 2 hours to play, which may not be suitable for players who prefer shorter games.

Limited Player Count

The game is designed for 1-4 players, which may not be ideal for larger groups of players.

Price

The game is relatively expensive compared to other board games, which may not be affordable for some players.

Where to find the Rules of Lost Ruins of Arnak

You can find the community-driven rules summary, player aid, etc., in the Lost Ruins of Arnak files section on the BoardGameGeek website. You need an account on BGG to download files.

Beginner Strategies for Lost Ruins of Arnak

These strategies are for players who have either not played or played one or two games of Lost Ruins of Arnak.

Focus on Exploration

At the beginning of the game, it's important to explore as much as possible. This will help you discover new locations, gain resources, and uncover artifacts that will help you throughout the game.

Manage Your Resources

As you explore, you'll need to manage your resources carefully. Make sure you have enough food and tools to keep your expedition going, and don't be afraid to spend resources to gain new cards or artifacts.

Build Your Deck

Your deck of cards is a key part of the game, so make sure you're building it strategically. Look for cards that will help you gain resources, defeat monsters, and explore new locations.

Balance Your Actions

Each turn, you'll need to balance your actions carefully. You'll want to explore new locations, gain resources, and defeat monsters, but you'll also need to manage your deck and plan for future turns.

Keep an Eye on the Endgame

The game ends when the last artifact is discovered, so make sure you're keeping an eye on the endgame. You'll want to focus on gaining points and completing objectives that will help you win the game.

Overall, Lost Ruins of Arnak is a game that rewards careful planning and strategic thinking. By exploring, managing your resources, building your deck, balancing your actions, and keeping an eye on the endgame, you'll be well on your way to victory!

Advanced Strategies for Lost Ruins of Arnak

Prioritize Card Acquisition

As you play the game more, you'll start to get a better sense of which cards are most valuable. Focus on acquiring these cards early on, as they'll help you build a more powerful deck and gain an advantage over your opponents.

Plan Ahead for Artifact Discoveries

The discovery of artifacts is a key part of the game, and it's important to plan ahead for these discoveries. Make sure you have the resources and cards you need to uncover artifacts when they become available, and try to time your discoveries to gain the most points.

Use Your Worker Placement Wisely

The worker placement mechanic is a key part of the game, and it's important to use your workers wisely. Try to anticipate your opponents' moves and block them from taking actions that would benefit them, while also making sure you're taking actions that will help you advance your own goals.

Focus on Point-Scoring Opportunities

As you play the game more, you'll start to get a better sense of which actions and cards will help you score the most points. Focus on these opportunities, and try to maximize your point-scoring potential as much as possible.

Be Flexible

Finally, it's important to be flexible and adapt to changing circumstances. Don't be afraid to change your strategy mid-game if you see an opportunity to gain an advantage, and be willing to adjust your plans based on the actions of your opponents.

Mechanics

Worker Placement
Deck, Bag, and Pool Building
Solo / Solitaire Game
Turn Order: Progressive
Once-Per-Game Abilities
Market
Contracts
Resource to Move
Multi-Use Cards

Categories

Fantasy
Exploration
Adventure
Ancient
Travel