Roam
- Designer Ryan Laukat
- Publisher Red Raven Games , Banana Games , DV Games , Lanlalen , Lavka Games
- Illustration Ryan Laukat
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Start for freeWhat to Expect
In Roam, you explore the land of Arzium, plagued by a mysterious sleeping sickness. Players place search tokens on a grid of landscape cards by activating adventurer cards with specific search patterns. Controlling the majority on these cards earns you new adventurers and points, expanding your party. Collect coins during your searches to perform special actions or purchase artifacts. The game ends when a player has recruited ten adventurers.
Who Is This Game For?
Roam suits family and casual gamers aged 8 and up, with a playtime of about 45 minutes. It's an accessible gateway game requiring moderate tactical thinking without complex rules or prior experience.
How It Works
Each turn, you activate an adventurer card from your party to place search tokens in a specific pattern on a square grid of landscape cards (Grid Coverage, Square Grid). You compete for majority control (Area Majority) of the searched squares. Winning cards grants points and new search patterns. Coins collected enable special actions or artifact purchases. The game combines Action Retrieval and Auction Compensation mechanics.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Ryan Laukat and nominated for Gioco dell’Anno 2020, Roam stands out with its unique Perspective mechanism and grid-based gameplay set in the world of Arzium. It originated from a Kickstarter campaign and is available digitally on Tabletopia and Yucata.
Awards
- 2020 Gioco dell’Anno — Nominated
Pro
- Combines Area Majority and Action Retrieval for tactical depth
- Atmospheric fantasy setting in Arzium
- Short playtime around 45 minutes
- Gioco dell’Anno 2020 nominee
Contra
- No solo mode included
- Limited to 2-4 players
- Moderate complexity may not satisfy experts
Setting & Atmosphäre
The game is set in Arzium, a world of ancient civilizations, bizarre creatures, and unexplained wonders. A sleeping sickness causes inhabitants to wander in a trance, and players seek to wake and recruit these lost adventurers.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Focus on using your search patterns strategically to build majority control on landscape cards.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
Roam is designed for 2 to 4 players and does not include a solo mode.
How long does a game really take?
A game of Roam lasts about 45 minutes, suitable for shorter sessions.
What prior experience do I need?
Roam is a family game that requires no significant prior experience.
How does this compare to similar games?
Roam uniquely combines Grid Coverage, Area Majority, and Auction Compensation in a fantasy setting.
Is this suitable for families?
Yes, it is suitable for ages 8 and up with moderate complexity.
What mechanic makes it special?
The combination of Action Retrieval and Area Majority on a square grid makes Roam distinctive.
Fazit
Roam is recommended for players who enjoy tactical grid games with a fantasy theme and a compact playtime. It’s ideal for families and casual players seeking simple rules with strategic depth.
