In the expansion review series, we take a look at a game expansion to discuss whether it is a necessary purchase/addition to one’s collection.
This breakdown is for the take-that adventure hidden agent board game Survive: Escape from Atlantis!‘s (ooh I’m not sure about the placement of that apostrophe) mini-expansions 5-6 Player Mini Expansion and The Giant Squid Mini Expansion.
The 5-6 Player Mini-Expansion adds components for a fifth and sixth player. Also included are new setup rules for the larger groups of players and a new Challenge Rule to be used at setup.
The Giant Squid expansion adds five squideeples to the game (pictured below alongside the dolphins and Dive Dice from the blue box base game). The Giant Squids may be added to the game any time a Whale should be added instead and can move much like a Whale in the water. However, should a Squid and Whale meet in the open ocean, whichever -eeple had been moved this turn will eliminate the other from the game. Giant Squids also can grab meeples from manned boats in the water and from sea-adjacent land tiles! They are a FORCE!
NOTE: The Dolphins & Dive Dice pictured below do not come with The Giant Squid expansion. I just thought the Squids looked lonely as I was taking their photo.
Survive (for short) is a game that has undoubtedly withstood the test of time. In fact, this game is 30 years old! So to presume that the game is unplayable without these mini-expansions is ridiculous, but I have definitely enjoyed my plays of them. Obviously, being able to add two more players to your game is a boon, and being able to witness sea creatures battling it out whilst trying to escape on boats nearby can be an awesome experience in the theater of the mind.
Official recommendation: I say definitely go grab the 5-6 Player Mini Expansion if you do not have it already, and consider The Giant Squid Mini Expansion if you are pining for more death and destruction in your game… that already features enough of both. I dig these, and if you are a fan of Survive! then I am positive you will as well.
