Australia: Box Cover Front
Australia -  - Credit: garyjames
Australia - After punching/assembly everything fits in the box nicely. - Credit: garyjames
Australia -  - Credit: garyjames
Australia - In the box: The planes - Credit: garyjames
Australia -  - Credit: garyjames
Australia - In the box: Reverse of player reference, Conservation tiles with Koalas. - Credit: garyjames
Australia - In the box: Australian Dollars (which) have kangaroos on them, Industrialisation tiles. - Credit: garyjames
Australia - In the box: Windmill, Conservation Tiles, Australian Dollars, Player Reference - Credit: garyjames
Australia - Australia - Credit: PZS69
Australia - Australia - Credit: PZS69
  1. Australia: Box Cover Front
  2. Australia -  - Credit: garyjames
  3. Australia - After punching/assembly everything fits in the box nicely. - Credit: garyjames
  4. Australia -  - Credit: garyjames
  5. Australia - In the box: The planes - Credit: garyjames
  6. Australia -  - Credit: garyjames
  7. Australia - In the box: Reverse of player reference, Conservation tiles with Koalas. - Credit: garyjames
  8. Australia - In the box: Australian Dollars (which) have kangaroos on them, Industrialisation tiles. - Credit: garyjames
  9. Australia - In the box: Windmill, Conservation Tiles, Australian Dollars, Player Reference - Credit: garyjames
  10. Australia - Australia - Credit: PZS69
  11. Australia - Australia - Credit: PZS69

Australia Review

Played 'Australia' with my pals and it was a blast! The mix of strategy with a splash of horror caught us off guard in a good way. Though luck can sway the game, it's mostly your cunning that leads to victory.
  • Gameplay and Mechanics
  • Component Quality and Design
  • Balance of Strategy vs Luck
  • Replay Value
4/5Overall Score

'Australia' uniquely blends strategy and horror, offering deep gameplay and quality components. Skill outweighs luck, promising engaging experiences.

Specs
  • Number of Players: 1-4
  • Playing Time: 30-120 minutes
  • Recommended Player Age: 14+
  • Game Type: Strategy and Horror
  • Mechanics: Cooperative and Competitive Elements, Resource Management
  • Theme: 1920s Alternate Reality Australia
  • Difficulty Level: Medium to High
Pros
  • Unique strategy-horror blend
  • Quality components
  • High replay value
  • Skill over luck
Cons
  • Luck can impact outcome
  • Might be complex for newbies
  • Set-up time can be long
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Overview

G’day mates, let’s talk about ‘Australia‘. This isn’t your typical walkabout in the outback. We’re diving—err, jumping—right into a review of a board game that’s part strategy, part horror, and all fun. Mixed in with competition and cooperation, top-shelf components, and gameplay that keeps you coming back for more, ‘Australia’ is a wild ride. So grab your hat and let’s explore what makes this game a ripper choice for your next game night.

How It Plays

Gather ’round, folks, as I tell ya how to play ‘Australia’. It’s a mix of adventure, strategy, and fighting off nightmares that crawled right outta some horror flick. So, let’s get to it!

Setting Up

First off, ya gotta set up the board, which is a map of Australia but with a twist – it’s crawling with monsters. Each player picks their color and grabs the corresponding pieces. These include your little army units, farms, and coal mines. You’ll spread out your farms and mines on the board based on where you think is strategic – or just to keep ’em away from the nasties. Don’t forget to shuffle the event and monster decks and put ’em within reach.

Gameplay

During the game, you’ll be doing a bit of everything. Building up your defenses, mining for resources, and occasionally, knocking some monster heads together. The game mixes real-time strategy with some turn-based elements. You spend resources to perform actions, like moving your units or attacking monsters. But here’s the kicker: when it’s not your turn, the monsters move on their own, based on the draw of the event cards. This keeps ya on your toes, planning your next move while also preparing for what the game throws at ya.

Winning the Game

To win ‘Australia’, you gotta balance between expanding your territory and keeping the monsters at bay. Points are scored for killing monsters, controlling farms, and mining valuable resources. Once the last monster is defeated or all the event cards have been drawn, the game ends. The player with the most points, which means you’ve managed your resources the best and kicked the most monster butt, wins the game.

Want to know more? Read our extensive strategy guide for Australia.

Discover the Thrilling Combo: Strategy Meets Horror in ‘Australia’

Alright, folks, let me tell you about a board game that mixes peanut butter with chocolate in the best way – I’m talking about ‘Australia’. This game is like if Indiana Jones decided to play chess in a haunted house. It’s got that unique blend of strategy and horror that keeps you on your toes. One minute, you’re laying down rails and mining resources, feeling all strategic. The next? BAM! You’re fighting off Lovecraftian monsters trying to turn your hard work into a midnight snack. And let me tell you, the horror isn’t just for show. It actually plays into your strategy. You gotta plan your moves while considering how to fend off the creatures that go bump in the Outback. It’s a blast trying to outsmart both your friends and the game itself.

And speaking of friends, in our next section, we’ll explore how ‘Australia’ perfectly balances working together with outright competition. Get ready to walk the fine line between ally and rival.

Australia -  - Credit: garyjames

Cooperation vs. Competition: The ‘Australia’ Board Game Dance

When I first cracked open ‘Australia’, I was expecting your run-of-the-mill strategy game. But boy, was I in for a surprise! This game cleverly dances on the line between having to work together with your mates and secretly wanting to beat them to a pulp (in the game, of course). One minute, you’re fighting off nightmarish creatures together, and the next, you’re racing to claim lands and resources. It’s this balance that keeps everyone on their toes. You really can’t get too comfortable in either a cooperative or competitive mindset, because ‘Australia’ will flip the script on you faster than a kangaroo on a hot tin roof.

Next, we’ll take a closer look at the quality and design of the game components, which is just as engaging as the gameplay itself.

Australia - After punching/assembly everything fits in the box nicely. - Credit: garyjames

High-Quality Components Elevate ‘Australia’s Gaming Experience

When you crack open the box of ‘Australia’, you’re immediately struck by the quality and design of its game components. The game makers didn’t just throw in a bunch of cardboard and plastic. They clearly thought about how each piece could enhance the player’s experience. The game board itself is a vibrant and detailed map that invites you into its alternate-reality 1930s Australia, overrun by Lovecraftian monsters. It’s not just pretty to look at; the board’s layout and design make gameplay intuitive and engaging.

Then there are the miniatures – oh, the miniatures! Each one, from the explorers to the horrifying monsters they battle, is crafted with a level of detail that isn’t just for show. These figures play a key role in the game’s strategy, and their quality adds a tactile pleasure to the planning and combat phases. Even the resource cubes and player tokens feel sturdy and pleasant to handle, promising many game nights free of wear and tear.

As we admire the game’s physical components, it’s easy to see how they contribute to the depth of gameplay and potential for replay value.

Australia -  - Credit: garyjames

Exploring Australia’s Intriguing Gameplay Depth and Replayability

When you first sit down to play Australia, you might think you’re in for just another strategy game. But oh, how wrong you’d be! This game mixes strategic resource management with a pinch of horror, ensuring no two games feel the same. What really stands out is how the game’s mechanics evolve. Just when you think you’ve got a strategy that works, the game throws a curveball, forcing you and your friends to adapt or face defeat by the eldritch creatures that haunt the Australian outback.

Replay value? Through the roof! The game’s semi-random setup and the variety of strategies mean that Australia will keep hitting your table. Every game feels like a new challenge, pushing you to try different strategies to best your friends – or the game itself.

So, do I recommend it? Absolutely. For those who love a deep, engaging game that you can play over and over, Australia is a must-have in your collection.

Australia - In the box: The planes - Credit: garyjames

Conclusion

Wrapping up this review, ‘Australia’ is a board game that stands out for its thrilling mix of strategy and horror. The gameplay is a balanced mix of competition and cooperation, which keeps every player on their toes. We were impressed by the high-quality components that bring the game’s eerie theme to life. Whether you’re planning your next move or battling nightmarish creatures, ‘Australia’ promises depth and replayability. There are a few games out there that manage to blend such diverse elements so seamlessly. Despite its shortcomings, such as moments where luck can play a slightly bigger role than I usually prefer, ‘Australia’ gets a solid 4 stars out of 5 from us. It’s a must-try for fans of strategy games looking for a new twist. So, grab your friends, set up the board, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure down under!

4/5Overall Score
Jamie in his proper element: With all of his board games
Jamie Hopkins

With years of dice-rolling, card-flipping, and strategic planning under my belt, I've transformed my passion into expertise. I thrive on dissecting the mechanics and social dynamics of board games, sharing insights from countless game nights with friends. I dive deep into gameplay mechanics, while emphasizing the social joys of gaming. While I appreciate themes and visuals, it's the strategy and camaraderie that truly capture my heart.