BoardGame Verdict
87

Cartographers: A Roll Player Tale is a flip-and-write game set in the Roll Player universe. Players assume the role of cartographers tasked by Queen Gimnax to map northern lands. They draw various terrain shapes onto personal map sheets based on revealed cards, strategically filling them while contending with monster ambushes. The goal is to earn the most reputation stars by meeting the Queen's seasonal edicts, making it a challenging and puzzly strategy game.

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87

The Verdict

based on 32 reviews

Positive 0%
Engaging spatial puzzle and thoughtful gameplay that keeps things interesting.
High replayability due to variable scoring conditions, different map layouts, and diverse exploration cards.
Accessible and easy-to-learn rules that still offer strategic depth for all levels of board gamers.
Unique player interaction through "ambush" cards in multiplayer, allowing opponents to place monsters on each other's maps.
A satisfying solo mode that provides clear feedback on performance and maintains engaging gameplay.
The game can feel luck-driven at times, as success can depend on favorable card draws.
Ambush cards in solo play are less impactful and can make the solo experience feel less challenging compared to multiplayer.
Maps can become messy and difficult to decipher at the end of the game, especially for players with less drawing skill.
Scoring can sometimes feel swingy, potentially leading to varied outcomes.
90
Games with Austin, AustinVideo

The reviewer highly recommends Cartographers: A Roll Player Tale, giving it a strong rating, indicating significant enjoyment and praise for the game.

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90
Beyond Solitaire, LizArticle

“I really like Cartographers, and it is definitely one of my top five roll and write games at this point. It's puzzly, engaging, and different enough between plays to keep things interesting.”

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90
Board Game QuestArticle

“Board Game Quest found Cartographers: A Roll Player Tale to be an excellent and engaging addition to the roll-and-write genre, easily ranking among their favorite games in the category due to its scalability and surprisingly deep gameplay.”

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90
The Opinionated Gamers, Brandon KempfArticle

“Cartographers completely slipped my mind when we were discussing possibly nominees, and that’s a shame. It’s a fantastic and original take on a genre of games that could be seen as “jumping the shark”.”

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90
SideGame LLC, Beyond SolitaireVideo

The reviewer highly recommends Cartographers: A Roll Player Tale as a must-try for fans of roll-and-write games, praising its engaging, puzzly gameplay, and satisfying solo mode, despite minor quibbles with ambush cards and its luck-driven nature.

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90
Gaming Rules!, Paul GroganVideo

The reviewer expresses a strong liking for Cartographers, finding it a well-designed roll-and-write game with satisfying player interaction and evolving gameplay through different scoring cards, ruins, and ambush mechanics.

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90
The Gaming Gang, JeffVideo

The reviewer highly recommends Cartographers, praising its surprising depth, high replayability, and effective gameplay for both solo and multiplayer experiences.

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90
The Dice Tower, Liz DavidsonVideo

Liz Davidson praises 'Cartographers: A Roll Player Tale' as a robust and enjoyable roll-and-write game, highlighting its satisfying Tetris-like spatial puzzle and high replayability due to varied scoring conditions.

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90
Bumbling Through Dungeons, MARK WILSONArticle

“Bumbling Through Dungeons considers Cartographers: A Roll Player Tale a favorite roll-and-write game, appreciating its clever design and the inclusion of direct player interaction.”

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90
Game Boy Geek, The Game Boy GeekVideo

The reviewer highly praises Cartographers for its clean art and graphic design, its exceptional variability driven by the unique scoring cards, and clever mechanics like mountains, ruins, and player interaction through monster ambushes. He considers it an excellent spatial flip-and-fill game that many will love, despite a minor note that spatial games aren't for everyone.

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90
MeepleTown, Jeremy Salinas and Ryan SchoonVideo

The reviewer praises "Cartographers: A Roll Player Tale" as a unique 'flip and write' game that offers an interesting spatial puzzle, with strong replayability and appealing artwork within its established universe. While noting that scores can be swingy and the game might favor experienced players, the overall sentiment is highly positive.

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90
Shut Up & Sit Down, Shut Up & Sit DownVideo

The reviewer expresses a strong liking for Cartographers, finding it to be a cool and enjoyable roll-and-write game that stands out among their favorites.

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