Cartographers Heroes Review: More Monsters? No Problem!

Introduction

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As I set down yet another pristine map sheet, ready to chart unexplored territories in Cartographers Heroes, I couldn’t help but smile at how a simple flip-and-write game could make me feel like both a master cartographer and a strategic military advisor. This standalone sequel to the popular Cartographers brings new monster ambushes and heroes to the mix, adding spice to an already delicious recipe. But does this new version earn its place in the royal cartographer’s tower, or should it be filed away in the dusty archives?

Overview

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Cartographers Heroes is a standalone sequel to the flip-and-write, map-drawing game Cartographers. It includes all-new map sheets, edict (scoring) cards, explore cards, and ambush cards with unique abilities. It feels like largely the same game so if you are unfamiliar with Cartographers, I recommend reading my full review of that game before diving into this review. In this review, I will only be pointing out the key differences from Cartographers.

Gameplay

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The key new gameplay that Cartographer Heroes offers compared to its predecessor involves the revamped ambush cards and the all new explore card type featuring the titular heroes. The new mechanics add meaningful tactical decisions without overwhelming the elegant simplicity that made the original such a hit.

Firstly, the ambush cards. Ambushes in Cartographer Heroes still have players drawing monster spaces on their opponent’s map, but each monster now comes with its own special ability. They might have immediate effects that force you to modify your map, an on-going threat to encourage you to deal with it sooner, or a boon for handling the situation. Despite the monsters seeming more punishing than in the original game because of the added effects, they add excitement and personality to the ambushes. The new monsters give you more ways to mess up your opponent, more problems to mitigate, and more interesting choices. I welcome the added tension with open arms, but if you prefer a cozy and relaxed game, you may prefer Cartographers or playing without the ambush cards. For me, there’s something deliciously dramatic about revealing a new monster card and seeing everyone at the table groan in unison as they realize what fresh chaos they’ll have to deal with.

But fear not, fellow cartographers! To balance these enhanced threats, heroes may arrive in a season as well. One hero card is added to the explore deck per season just like ambush cards. When these valiant defenders appear, they provide two powerful benefits. First, a hero is as a free action that lets you fill in a single space–perfect for those awkward gaps in your map. Second, and more importantly, they can destroy monster spaces through their attack patterns.

The interplay between heroes and monsters creates fascinating tactical decisions. If you have some monsters on your map wreaking havoc, a hero can save you a lot of time and heartache trying to fill the spaces surrounding the monster spaces. That’s not even the most interesting part though. What if the hero arrives, but your map has no monsters for them to deal with? Well, you can set up the hero’s attack shape to protect an area by deterring your pesky neighbors from drawing monsters near your hero. The next time your neighbor needs to draw monsters on your map, your strategically placed hero presents them with an interesting dilemma. They could still place monsters in your hero’s territory, knowing they’ll be destroyed–after all, even destroyed monster spaces can disrupt your carefully laid plans. Alternatively, they might choose to ambush a completely different area of your map for the full effect of the ambush and the negative points that can bring.

Unfortunately, these spicy choices are largely subdued in solo play where monster placement follows fixed rules rather than opponent malice. You also have no other player to plague for your own enjoyment. This may not be an issue for you if you are a player that doesn’t enjoy confrontation.

Components and Design

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The component quality in Cartographers Heroes maintains the high standard set by the original Cartographers. The cardstock is sturdy, the map sheets are well-designed with clear iconography, and the artwork stays faithful to the established world of Ulos. From a thematic perspective, the new monsters make each ambush feel unique and add just a dash emergent narrative.

Final Thoughts

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Cartographers Heroes succeeds in that tricky task of expanding on a winning formula without losing what made it special in the first place. The enhanced monster and hero mechanics add meaningful decisions and create more interesting interactions, while still maintaining the smooth, satisfying flow of the original game. While solo players might not get to experience the full diplomatic tensions of hero placement, there’s still plenty to enjoy here for both solo and group play. If you enjoyed the original and want more, Cartographers Heroes is an easy recommendation. And if you’re new to the series, Cartographers Heroes is a great choice to jump into the flip-and-write, map-drawing fun.