Tabletop Game Review – Summit: The Board Game

 

Price: ~$60.00
Players:
1 to 6
Playtime:
40 to 180 minutes
Perfect for: Players who enjoy cooperative goal achievement that combines equal parts strategic actions and luck.

Summit: The Board Game is a game of vertical ascension! Players assume the role of intrepid hikers (typically on a team, but more on that later) who have assembled to climb a mountain. However, doing so will not be easy as the brave women and men must contend with the elements of the wild including changing wind conditions, time of day, treacherous terrain, availability of resources, and the fickleness of fortune along the way. Success depends on getting to the top and down again safely all the while keeping warm, safe, and uninjured.

To begin Summit, 1 to 6 players choose a hiker to embody, each with slightly asymmetrical strengths and weaknesses. For example, some characters are nimble meaning they carry less gear but move slightly faster. Others are the reverse—slower yet able to pack more supplies for the journey. On a turn, a mountaineer will play a triangular tile from their hand onto the board, contributing to the rope system and moving up the mountain. The color of the rope and number knots on it translate into the speed and time it will take players to get through that section. Next, players will draw and play an event card to see what chance happening will affect the journey. For example, an avalanche might strike, stripping people of previous food or oxygen—two necessities for completing the journey. But, as so long as just one player can reach the bottom, the team wins.

What works in Summit is the theme, art, and excitement of conquering a mountain.  Art in this case refers to two facets of the title—the visuals and components which are unique, clever, and colorful; but also the cleverness which players must exhibit and execute in order to win. Regarding the first dimension, the triangular rope tiles make board assembly different every time and very much change the game experience. And in terms of strategy, the item cards and player boards intersect in incredibly thoughtful ways that challenge individuals to think critically about risk versus reward. Better items might provide a tactful advantage, but perhaps at the cost of losing precious time because they make packs heavier and thus slows a hiker down.

Perhaps like actually trying to climb a mountain, a great many factors are completely outside people’s direct control. The event cards in Summit simulate this and force communication, cooperation, and a certain degree of agility in terms of resource management. For example, an incident may necessitate one individual plays a card to mitigate the effects, or trade items with another member of the party to provide assistance. Fortunately, players also have the help of Sherpas—non-playable characters who can also carry gear. All in all, the mix of variables keeps Summit incredibly engaging.

People who prefer games with less randomness and luck may not enjoy Summit as much as others. Summit can be absolutely devasting when it comes to occurrences that completely wreck a player or party’s well-intentioned plans. Individuals who get unnerved at such twists and turns may find gameplay a bit frustrating. That said, if players can accept and even embrace that the obstacles are all part of the fun, the experience will be all the more enjoyable. And even if something catastrophic occurs: a) the difficulty level scales up and down incredibly well and b) set up is rather quick for what at first glance appears to be a complicated game.

A note here that Summit is actually two games for the price of one. This review has focused primarily on the cooperative version, but by flipping over the board groups can attempt to summit the mountain competitively. Here, the system relies on a karma—a type of bartering of help or hindrance in exchange for victory points. This version is ruthless. Only groups that are closely knit with good senses of humor and easy-going attitudes should attempt this scenario, lest friendships be called into a question as one climber cuts a compatriot’s rope with glee.

Summit: The Board Game is meticulous in its execution weaving entertainment and theme, while balancing strategic planning with chance. This results in a sincere rush of adrenaline while playing. And while the game initially feels as imposing as a mountain, the rules are intuitive enough to introduce novice players to the table (there’s even a great first-time character setup guide), while offering enough element diversification to increase the complexity for veterans and ensure multiple playthroughs.

Recommended if you like: Forbidden Planet, Pandemic, Spirit Island

Final Grade: A

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