Leif Eriksson, the son of famed explorer, exiled Icelander and viking Erik the Red, is considered one of the first Europeans to discover North America. Exiled from Greenland, Leif would subsequently set foot in modern-day Canada to establish a settlement called Vinland. In Cartaventura: Vinland, you follow in the footsteps of Erik’s son. Like Leif, you seek to restore your family’s honour in Iceland explore the seas and have your faith tested.
In Cartaventura, an adventure game system designed by Blam! Edition and published in Dutch by Geronimo Games, you go on exciting historical adventures equipped with a deck of cards. The cards form a world on the table, present you with interesting dilemmas and choices and, of course, offer you an interactive story. These games contain no rules, but you start playing by turning over a number of cards. These cards tell the story and what you can do during the game. Cards offer different (both figurative and literal) paths to discover new cards or a story with choices. Depending on the paths you take and choices you make, you play cards and the continuation of the story or even the denouement of a storyline.
After you have played a game, the game is not over. There are multiple outcomes and denouements available and by playing one game, you only unlock more paths in the story. Cartaventura is a lovely interactive story that reminds me of choose-your-own-adventure books, but with a lot less flipping through pages of a book and therefore a more enjoyable and intuitive way to play. Highly recommended for explorers!
