This game was just announced this past week and will be available from Stonemaier games on July 15th.
Jamey Stegmaier has been sharing info about the game on BGG and posted this morning about the solo mode, for anyone who’s interested:
I just picked up Vantage this week and played my first solo game last night. Pretty early into the game, I had to take a card that was different from the other vertical cards I had and couldn’t be played into my grid, but had to stay in my reserve (those more experienced with the game might know what I’m referring to, but I wanted to give few details as possible to keep this post spoiler-free).
The card had qualities that weren’t really addressed by the base rules (which I was just getting the hang of as well), so I was confused as to what I was supposed to do with it. This led to me pausing my game for maybe a good half hour while I tried to seek info online. This admittedly broke my immersion with the game for that period of time, but it was my own fault.
I ended up just ignoring the card and continuing with my game, which is what I should have done from the beginning. I know now that the game, in time, would have told me when to use this card and how to use it.
In Vantage, discovery can come before explanation, and while this is very much in line with the game’s exploration-first philosophy, it does ask for a level of trust that most board games don’t ask for. I wasn’t really prepared for this and will need to enjoy its mysteries more the next time I play.
And so begins my adventures with Vantage.
This great post a few days ago convinced me to finally take this off the shelf. It’s been warm here lately and I played a game on the porch last night - I couldn’t have chose a better game and it was super relaxing. I broke out the colored pencils as I was inspired by other maps I saw on BGG. First game resulted in 5 points and a title of Apprentice Surveyor.
Great game that I should have played much sooner. Those who still have this on your shelf of shame - give it a go, you won’t be sorry.