Lost Cities Review

German Games – including those designed, as Lost Cities is, by Reiner Knizia - are noted for their simplicity, accessibility and wealth of strategic options. Unfortunately, they are almost as often lambasted for their pasted-on themes that serve to disguise an otherwise abstract game, and Lost Cities is no exception. Essentially a very abstract card game, it has an arbitrary theme of exploration that really does feel like an afterthought.

As a two player game, however – regardless of how transparently applied the theme is – Lost Cities is incredibly successful, striking an almost perfect balance of strategic options, fun and difficulty. In the simplest terms possible, the game has players basically lay or discard a card from their hand and then draw a card - either from the top of a discard pile (with cards discarded in separate piles according to colour, and five colours in the game) or from the draw pile: it really is that simple. The deck contains five different colours of card, each colour comprising cards numbered 2-10 and three investment cards. Players lay cards below the relevant coloured discard pile on their side of the board with the following rules: investment cards must be laid before any numbered cards, and then when numbered cards are laid no more investments can be played on the relevant expedition. Numbers must always be laid in ascending order – if a red 6 card had already been laid on the red expedition, for example, no number lower than 6 could then be laid. The game ends immediately when the last card is taken from the draw pile.

The scoring system is initially pretty daunting – basically all expeditions that are started, regardless of size, lose the player 20 points. The total for each expedition are then calculated. Each expedition’s points are multiplied by any investment cards laid (after the sum of card total-20 points is reached) like so: if one investment card is laid, the total is multiplied by 2. Two investment cards multiply the total by 3 and three cards give a huge x4 multiplier.

What this brief description of the rules does not convey is the feeling of tension when building an expedition. It is very tough to know when to begin an expedition, given that it is not uncommon for losses to be made. The investment cards can drastically increase a low score, or make a negative score even larger, given the way that these cards are calculated. Another important skill to learn is knowing when to tactically take cards from the board even if they’re not needed, in order to slow down the inexorable approach of the game’s end. A facet of the game that is common to many Reiner Knizia designed games is the feeling of having many options available to pursue in every turn, yet never enough actions to do exactly what is wanted or needed! Like other Knizia games, this is what makes the game as enjoyable as it is – every turn is filled with superbly satisfying, tension-filled moments.

Whilst the game itself doesn’t really feel at any time as if players are exploring strange and wonderful new lands, the scoring system itself does logically seem to follow the investment undertaken during an expedition. So the theme, while arbitrary, does start to make a little sense during the scoring at the end of the game. Incidentally, the end of the game always arrives too soon – it seems as if players always need a few extra turns to complete everything they want to do!

Lost Cities is easily one of the best two player games I have ever played. Games are always short, always very tense and exciting, and always leave players wanting more. Despite the fact that you’re essentially paying for a five-suit deck of cards (albeit very nicely designed and oversized ones) along with a pretty unnecessary board, Lost Cities does offer great value, as it is a game that just never seems to get dull. This is an essential game for any collection. Lost Cities is another incredible Knizia game - a brilliantly simple design masking a highly satisfying and competitive game of pushing your luck and risking all.

Summary

Presentation: Presented in the small box size that is standard across all of Rio Grande’s two player line, and complete with sturdy, nicely illustrated cards and board, Lost Cities is very well produced. The board is slightly extraneous to requirements but it does add a little flavour to the pasted-on theme. 8.8/10

Clarity of Rules: A very simple to learn game with excellent rules – the only sticking point seems to be learning the scoring system, although examples of this are included and are very well illustrated. 9.1/10

Game Length: At around twenty minutes or faster per game, Lost Cities always feels too short – in a good way! 9.6/10

Value: Essentially just a card game with high production values, Lost Cities nevertheless give huge value for money given it has near limitless replayability and is always enjoyable. 8.6/10

Overall: Despite the typically-German lack of theme, Lost Cities is a game that gamers of any type or skill level and play and enjoy. Always challenging, always fun and always time for just one more game. Outstanding. 9.8/10 (not an average)

Review by Jason M. Brown