Stats:
No. of players: 2
Amount of time to play: 20 minutes
Age requirements: 8+
Set-up time: 5 minutes

Castaways of Deadmans Bay Rules Description:

Castaways of Deadmans Bay is a quick-playing card game. Can you outwit your opponent to become the new captain of the Rusty Barnacle?

You and your opponent start in the middle of the plank. You each have 8 health tokens, 6 crew members and one card from the draw pile.

To win Castaways of Deadmans Bay you must either kill your opponent, push them off the plank or have all 12 crew members.

You also start the game with 3 types of power-up attacks: charge, insult and strike. On your turn you’ll draw 2 cards, play one and discard the other. Most cards are one of the 3 power-up attacks, but each attack can have three effects. You can lose one health, lose one crew member or get pushed one space closer to the end of the plank.

The power-up card you play goes on the pile of the type of attack it is (charge, insult or strike). Then you attack and your opponent defends by secretly selecting which type of attack you wish to use. If your opponent selects the same type you do then they defend. If not then they take the results of every card in the pile of the attack form you choose. For example if your insult pile had the base insult (-1 crew) a push, and two damage cards, your opponent would lose 2 health take a step toward the end of the plank and you’d get to steal a crew member of your choice.

There are also actions cards in the draw pile they allow you to remove power-up cards, avoid attacks for one turn, and even shorten the plank.

You can beat your opponent in one of three ways they lose all health, they go off the end of the plank or you have all the crew members. Not only are you the new captain, you win the game too!

A Quick Review of Castaways of Deadmans Bay:

Castaways of Deadmans Bay is a card game for two players that plays quick, is easy to teach and fun. You’ll find there is some strategy and some luck needed to win the game.

Castaways of Deadmans Bay is like a double layered game of rock-paper-scissors. If you can guess your opponent’s attack a few times there is a good chance you’ll win. However what attack they’ll use may be less than obvious.

The cards and art are very nice and fit the theme very well. For a self-published game, Castaways of Deadmans Bay has very high quality production. This game is great for adults and kids and fun for all. If you are looking for a game to play with your kids Castaways of Deadmans Bay will fit the bill.

Score and synopsis: (Click here for an explanation of these review categories.)
Strategy 3 out of 6
Luck 3 out of 6
Player Interaction 5 out of 6
Replay Value 3 out of 6
Complexity 2 out of 6
Fun 4 out of 6
Overall 4 out of 6