Image taken from https://boardgamegeek.com/image/8592050/roll4rum

Designer: Florian Fiedler
Publisher: (Web Published)
Artist: Florian Fiedler

Here’s a super quick review of this print and play roll and write game!

Roll4Rum is a fun, pirate-themed map exploration roll and write game. The base game has three different maps and then there’s a Christmas pack with three additional maps. Also, as part of the Kickstarter, they are releasing one new map each month for all of 2025, so there is definitely a lot to explore with this one!

The mechanics here are easy – you roll three dice then assign each die to one of three actions: movement (sail), fate, and obstacle(s). Other maps have some variations to this, but these cover the basic ideas and occurrences. The movement die is pretty self-explanatory, the only main rule is that you must be able to use the full dice value (unless something on the map indicates otherwise), and you can only complete one 60 degree turn per movement. The die chosen for fate carries out an action based on the value of the die. Some of these are positive, some negative, and others neutral/nothing happens. The obstacle die gets utilized differently depending on the map, but typically it’s something that can wreak havoc or cause the player some type of distress.

Here are some overall thoughts on the game:

Likes = numerous maps and lots of variety in the maps, great thematic integration (and fun map themes!), clever map designs and twists on the standard rules, the solo mode is easy to learn and play, some maps have specific locations that must be visited making them more survival-y and quest-y which I like

Dislikes = I had some rule and symbol confusion (lack of explanation), some maps not super interesting and/or are repetitive of other maps (maps are hit or miss), certain maps are only beat your own score

If you like exploration, map-based roll and writes, this is a fun one with a lot of variability. Even if you don’t like a map or two like me, there is still plenty to enjoy and experience.