Image taken from https://boardgamegeek.com/image/9012802/map-masters

Designers: Ian Sebastian Bach, Cédrick Caumont
Publisher: Captain Games
Artist: Adrien Journel

You can judge me all you want but I literally ADORE this game, and I think it’s very underrated! Granted, I don’t know how it plays cooperatively with others or competitively, but it was a blast to play solo. At the time I was playing, I was obsessed and actually wanted to retry some missions which is usually rare for me. Now I just lovingly look at the box with excitement for the next time I get to play it (I have too many shrink-wrapped games to circle back currently…).

In the solo/coop version of Map Masters, players work to complete a mission, which usually involves a specific set up, a central goal, and a varying number of meeples. Typically, there is a boss in the center of the map, and the players have to place cards with different symbols and paths on them to reach that central card having acquired a certain number of items. Each meeple has to complete a different challenge, and there are specific entry points on that center card for each aspect of the goal. Each mission also has a unique deck construction and some additional rules or twists, among other things, making each one feel familiar but fresh.

This game is exceptionally easy to play solo because no one has specific characters. In a multiplayer cooperative game, all meeples can be moved by any player, so in solo, you just move all the meeples yourself.

I was honestly very surprised by this game because it isn’t rated very highly on BGG and I was concerned I would tire of it after a few plays, but I love it. The missions are actually decently thematic, the mechanics are simple but brilliant, and there is a lot of variety between the missions with different challenges, cards, bosses, objectives, setups, etc. The components are also lovely – great dry erase cards, solid markers, and ingenious foam erasers that don’t smear the ink everywhere. The artwork is also adorable and silly and expresses the vibe of the game well.

If you’ve read any other of our reviews, I’m typically not a fan of luck in games unless it’s a quick party game or something, but the luck in this one didn’t bother me as much. The main luck aspect comes from the map cards you draw and have access to each turn, but (at least solo), I always had four cards, so even though I may not have the card I need or want, there are always options to choose from which I like.

If I were to identify one small negative (for some), it’s that the setup and take down can take some time just because each mission is so different and then there’s a lot of erasing and sorting to do afterwards. But the gameplay itself doesn’t take too long. Most of my games lasted 40-60 minutes solo, which was perfect. And I could always use more missions of course. 😉

This game is truly a gem. It’s a really great puzzle that plays in a reasonable time, and is super unique, fun, and replayable. It literally might be in my top ten solo games right now. I’ve had such a positive and enjoyable experience with it so far and I can’t wait for more. There are even some missions I’ve played three or more times because they’re just so clever and interesting and exciting.

So, designers and publisher, I need ALL the expansions. Like at least fifty more missions ASAP please. Though, I’m sure they’re quite tough to design. All the more reason to be massively impressed!