Captain Treasure Boots
From: Cheapass Games
Reviewed by: Ron McClung
Captain Treasure Boots is a new Board Game from Cheapass Games.
I like a company that does not take itself too seriously, and Cheapass Games never has. Captain Treasure Boots is yet another typical Cheapass game with simple rules and simple packaging. In this game, you are pirate. The board is made up of 2, 3 or 4 cardboard maps supplied in the game. The number of boards used depends on the number players. The board can be set up in any way the players agree on as long as the grids match up. On the boards is water and several islands. You set them up as you see fit and compete against other pirates for treasure.
From the website :
“Sail the tiny little seas in your tiny little ship, battling tiny little pirates for their tiny little treasure, in this wee lark from Cheapass Games.”
The quest is for treasure, and a pirate must collect as much as he can while avoiding privateers. The treasure is made up of coins – 8 black, 12 blue, 14 gold, 16 red, and 18 green. Black represents privateers, blue represent armor, gold represents run, red are guns, and green are sails. White coins representing pearls are left out and used as “wild.” Players travel throughout the open seas picking up treasure, modifying their ship, fighting privateers and unloading treasure at their home port.
The turn sequence is very simple. First is the treasure phase when treasure is placed on an island by rolling two dice. If those dice roll doubles, the player also moves privateers. This is the players opportunity to cause havoc with privateers on other players. Then the players turn begins. He can move and shoot. In move, you can do a standard move, dump cargo at a port, or pick up treasure. As you pick up cargo, depending on the type, it effects your ship. All cargo reduces movement. Sails effects how many dice you roll for movement. Guns effects how many dice you roll for attack. Armor effects how many dice you roll of defense. And so on.
From the website:
“Because we love pirates, and because we love you even more, this game is printed in glorious full color despite its rock-bottom $3.50 price tag. You’ll still need your own spare parts, of course. ”
A player gains points by off-loading treasure from his ship at a port. Depending on the number of players, a number of points is set to determine victory.
In conclusion, earlier this year, I reviewed another pirate game by a much more renowned publisher that was simply crap. I will not name names, but I will tell you that their initials are AH. THIS pirate game blows that pirate game out of the water. I would rather see a high-dollar version of this than play that other game ever again. This has strategy, has an elegantly simple system, is challenging, and has good replayability. I like how it plays. It has serious back-stabbing potential, too, which is always good in a pirate game. This is without a doubt a very cool little game worth every penny.
For more details on Cheapass Games and their new Board Game “Captain Treasure Boots” check them out at their website http://www.cheapass.com, and at all of your local game stores.
Captain Treasure Boots
From: Cheapass Games
Type of Game: Board Game
Game Design by: Fames Ernest
Cover Art by: Phil Foglio
Number of Pages: Rulebook – 4
Game Components Included: 4 board sections (colored maps of the sea and islands)
Game Components Not Included: A pawn for each player, two 6-sided dice, and a chest of treasures: 8 black coins, 12 blue, 14 gold, 16 red, 18 green, and 20 white (unless your buy the deluxe set).
Retail Price: $ 3.50 (US)
Number of Players: 3-6
Play Time: 1 hour
Website: www.cheapass.com
Reviewed by: Ron McClung