Lost Cities: Roll & Write
- Players
- 2-5
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 3 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 30 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 8+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 1.3 / 5
- Year
- 2021
About the game
Lost Cities: Roll & Write reimagines Reiner Knizia's classic push-your-luck card game as a dice-driven, sheet-filling experience for 2-5 players. Rolling three colored dice and three numbered dice each turn, players choose a color-number pair to mark on their personal expedition sheet, advancing along six colored paths from the bottom up. Acceleration arrows and artifact bonuses reward smart planning, while abandoning a bad expedition costs points just as fast as they were earned. It's a light, accessible roll-and-write that captures the spirit of the original with a fresh format.
Hobbli's Notes
This roll-and-write adaptation keeps the tense push-your-luck decisions of the original Lost Cities while opening it up to more players around the table. Watching your expedition columns grow, and knowing when to cut your losses, creates the same satisfying tension Knizia is known for. At 30 minutes and low complexity, it's an easy, portable pick for casual groups. Fans of the card game should find this a worthy, more social variant.
What we like
- Faithfully translates Lost Cities' push-your-luck tension to roll-and-write.
- Supports more players than the original two-player card game.
- Quick 30-minute playtime with easy rules.
- Individual scoresheets minimize downtime between turns.
Keep in mind
- Loses the direct player interaction of the original card game.
- Repeated plays can feel similar due to simple dice mechanics.
- Requires printed sheets or reusable boards to keep playing.
Who it's for
Great for families and casual gamers of 2-5 who enjoy light push-your-luck roll-and-write games.
