In the game Expedition: Northwest Passage, players step into the shoes of expedition leaders. They embark on a perilous journey into the frigid Arctic waters. The goal? To uncover the mystery of Sir John Franklin's ill - fated 1845 expedition and achieve what he couldn't: find the Northwest Passage. In 1845, Franklin set sail with HMS Terror and HMS Erebus, well - equipped but vanished without a trace, sparking numerous follow - up expeditions. In the game, players assign crew to ships or sleighs for actions like exploration, movement, and clue - gathering. As seasons pass, parts of the sea freeze, adding a real - world challenge. Victory points come from gathering clues, mapping the area, and discovering the passage. But remember, you must return to Greenland on time! This 2010 - based new edition brings fresh content. It includes new development cards for new strategies, a corruption mechanic with risks and rewards, ascension cards for unique abilities, a solo campaign for single - player fun, and additional components to support new gameplay. The game is themed around tabletop board games, suitable for ages 14 and up, for 4 players, and takes about 60 minutes to play.
To play this game, first, gather 4 players aged 14 or above. Each player takes on the role of an expedition leader. Start by assigning your crew members to either the ship or the sleigh. Use them to explore the Arctic waters, move around the map, and collect clues about the Franklin Expedition. As the game goes on, keep an eye on the seasons. When the sea freezes, it will block your ship's path, so plan your moves carefully. You earn victory points by gathering clues, mapping the area, and finding the Northwest Passage. But don't forget to return to Greenland before time runs out. Regarding the new components, the development cards introduce new strategies, so try different combinations. The corruption mechanic can give you powerful benefits, but it also has risks. The ascension cards offer unique abilities, use them wisely. For the solo campaign, follow the designed scenarios one by one. After each game, store the components in a dry place to keep them in good condition. And make sure to keep all the tokens and markers organized for future games.
