subject: Endeavor The Board Game [print this page] When Carl de Visser and Jarratt Gray started to create Endeavor, the board game, they might have set their sights on world domination. They certainly succeeded with it being a top-selling game and storming up the charts worldwide. Not bad for a pair from Wellington, New Zealand
It's the century of conquest and new lands lie just beyond the newly accessible oceans. You are a country set on Empire and your attempt to build this as quickly as possible, bringing power, glory and -- importantly -- cash to your country. You can negotiate or go to war, strip land of resource or bring together peoples, but you must open the sea lanes and start trading. Unparallelled wealth is available ... are you strong enough to seize it and build your endeavor?
Your mission starts with the creation of sea lanes, which allow access to far off countries. Or at least around the Mediterranean. Once you have reached there, it's up to you to deploy your resources wisely and make the most of every opportunity. Strategy is balanced against strength; wit against war as you endeavor to build and hold sway over your Empire. It is important to find a good combination of techniques, as there is no simple path to world domination!
In terms of game play, you start by laying your shipping lines across the oceans. As the shipping line is complete, the region is open and you can create a colony, start an attack or begin to exploit the resources of the region. Endeavor's game play is nuanced and enjoyable, but quite straightforward and easy. In each turn, you create a building, which allows an action or an increase in resources. The player can also deploy a number of characters which can ship resources, occupy territory, attack peoples, draw, or pay -- ensuring cash flow continues. If you increase your political skills, you are able to perform more complicated strategies.
There's a reason that Endeavor has been one of the top-selling games worldwide since its release this year. Find out how good it is yourself.
