Too Many Bones: Undertow
- Designer Adam Carlson , Josh J. Carlson
- Publisher Chip Theory Games , Frosted Games , Gameland 游戏大陆 , Lavka Games , Lucky Duck Games
- Illustration Josh J. Carlson , Melonie Lavely , Anthony LeTourneau
Track your results with Playnexi
Add this game to your collection and track sessions, scores, and statistics.
Start for freeWhat to Expect
You play new Gearlocs like Stanza and Duster as they travel down the Sibron River, facing new baddies, encounters and tyrants and fighting both on land and on a raft. Undertow is a standalone sequel/expansion to Too Many Bones and emphasizes tactical, dice-based combat and RPG-style character progression. Expect long, involved scenarios that mix exploration and intense battles on a double-sided battle mat.
Who Is This Game For?
Designed for experienced players and fans of tactical, dice-centric games who enjoy longer sessions. With an estimated duration of about 180 minutes it's evening-length and not geared toward quick casual sessions. A solo option is included, so it's also suitable for solo players who like complex adventures.
How It Works
Undertow relies on Dice Rolling and Die Icon Resolution: dice determine outcomes in combat and actions. It blends Deck, Bag, and Pool Building with role-playing elements, so character development and equipment choices influence play. The game is cooperative—players team up against encounters and tyrants and must adapt tactics for both land and raft battles on the battle mat. Resource and risk management over multiple encounters is central.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Adam Carlson and Josh J. Carlson, Undertow expands the Too Many Bones world with river and raft combat and new playable Gearlocs. In 2018 it received several award nominations, including Golden Geek Best 2-Player Board Game (Nominee) and Board Game Quest Awards Best Coop Game (Nominee). The mix of dice-driven combat and deck/pool building sets it apart in the Adventure and Fighting categories.
Awards
2018
- 2018 Board Game Quest Awards Best Coop Game — Nominated
- 2018 Board Game Quest Awards Best Game Expansion — Nominated
Pro
- Standalone sequel in the Too Many Bones universe with new playable Gearlocs (Stanza, Duster)
- Tactical Dice Rolling and Die Icon Resolution drive combat depth
- Combines cooperative play with Deck/Bag/Pool-Building and RPG elements
- Varied encounters through land and raft battles on a double-sided battle mat
Contra
- Long playtime (~180 minutes) requires a significant time commitment
- High complexity; steep learning curve for newcomers
Setting & Atmosphäre
Fantasy adventure: Gearloc characters journey down the Sibron River searching for answers, encountering new monsters, encounters and tyrants. The river/raft element shapes the encounters and combat.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Take time for the first playthrough and focus on mastering dice resolution and resource management; play with experienced players if possible.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
Yes. The game supports a solo mode.
How long does a game really take?
The listed duration is about 180 minutes; initial sessions including setup and learning can take longer.
What prior experience do I need?
Prior experience with dice-driven, cooperative RPG/tactical games is helpful due to the game's complexity.
How does this compare to similar games?
As a standalone sequel to Too Many Bones, Undertow adds river/raft combat while combining dice mechanics with deck/bag/pool building.
Is this suitable for families?
Due to complexity and long playtime it's better for families with experienced players; minimum age is 12.
What mechanic makes it special?
The combination of Dice Rolling with Die Icon Resolution and Deck/Bag/Pool-Building defines the experience.
Fazit
Undertow is recommended for players seeking a deep, cooperative, dice-focused RPG experience and who can commit to ~180 minutes per session. It is less suitable for casual groups without prior experience.
