Climate shift background for game

A post apocalyptic game theme is rarely a bad thing.

And Arctic Scavengers is a card game which once again proves just that.

From the game box, "In the year 2097, the entire earth was enveloped in a cataclysmic climate shift, plunging the globe into another ice age. Over 90 per cent of the world's population was eliminated, driving the survivors to band together into loose communities and tribes.

You are the leader of a small tribe of survivors pitted against a few other tribes for survival. Build up your tribe, skirmish against other players head-to-head, or even bluff your way to victory.

The player with the largest tribe is victorious."

The themes here holds together nicely in a 2009 release from designer Robert K. Gabhart.

The game features 144 cards among them; 67 mercenary cards, 36 tool cards, 20 refugee cards, and 14 contested resources cards. The cards are rather well laid out in terms of what part they play in the game, and the art fits the sort of 'Mad Max-meets-the Arctic' feel of the game.

The game owes at least some of its heritage to deck-building games such as Dominion, but here there is more player-to-player confrontation, as well as the game allowing players to institute a few bluffs, which can help players with weaker 'hands' overcome their disadvantages.

In terms of game play you want to enhance your tribe through deck building, so that you are better positioned for the tribe-against-tribe confrontation to win valuable resources.

The multi-mechanic approach to Arctic Scavengers is certainly its greatest strength, and when combined with its gritty theme, the game has a lot to offer.

The game accommodates three-to-five players, with a recommended 12-plus age rating, and an expected game time of 45-60-minutes.

This is one to check out if you like cards games with some neat rules and a rich theme.

Check it out at www.driftwoodgames.com

If anyone is interested in this game, or other board games feel free to contact [email protected]