Exploring the Uncharted: Why Vantage Is the Board Game Adventure You've Been Waiting For
Board gamers, buckle up — there's a new journey on the horizon, and it's unlike anything you've played before. Published by Stonemaier Games and designed by Jamey Stegmaier, Vantage is an ambitious, story-rich open-world adventure that blends exploration, mystery, and immersive narrative into a one-of-a-kind tabletop experience. Whether you're a solo gamer or part of a crew, Vantage is about to take you to places you’ve never been — literally.
Vantage Board Game Photo by Tim Chuon
Crash-Landing Into a Narrative Adventure
In Vantage, you and up to five others crash-land on an uncharted alien planet. Each player assumes the role of one of six unique characters, beginning the game in a different escape pod and potentially landing in one of 126 starting locations. Yes, you read that right — the game boasts over 800 location possibilities overall, offering near-limitless exploration.
What makes Vantage stand out from the crowd? For starters, every player's view of the world is first-person. Only you can see your location card, adding a layer of secrecy and excitement. You can describe what you see to others — and you’ll want to — but you can’t show it. This perspective fuels collaboration, curiosity, and narrative tension.
How the Game Works: Action, Risk, and Discovery
Each turn, you'll choose a single action from a list: move, look, engage, help, take, or overpower. Actions are linked to what you observe in your surroundings — maybe a curious structure in the distance or a strange creature nearby. But here's the twist: you must pick your action before you know how risky or costly it will be.
That’s when another player looks up the action’s cost in a storybook and informs you of how many dice you’ll roll. This system introduces a compelling element of intuition and risk-reward decision-making. Do you go all-in on an action that could change everything, or play it safe?
You can spend skill tokens to reduce your risk, but ultimately, the dice decide your fate. With symbols for health loss, morale drain, time setbacks, and more, every roll adds suspense. A successful roll might just push your story forward — or lead to your downfall.
Rich Narratives Without the Campaign Commitment
Unlike traditional campaign games, Vantage isn't locked into a long-haul experience. Every play session is self-contained, but what you learn from one game can carry into the next. You’ll uncover missions and possibly destinies, and if you manage to complete both in a single game, you’ll achieve an epic victory.
It's a refreshing model — the depth of a narrative game without the scheduling commitment of a legacy or multi-session system.
Immersive Storytelling at Its Core
If you’re a fan of narrative-driven titles like Tales of the Arabian Nights or Time Stories, Vantage will feel like coming home. Each choice you make is met with a rich story entry from one of the game’s eight storybooks, drawing you deeper into the world with every turn.
The decisions are yours. The outcomes are unpredictable. And that’s what makes Vantage so compelling. With over 1,000 cards, hundreds of unique locations, and branching narrative paths, the possibilities are staggering.
Vantage Board Game Photo by Tim Chuon
A Visual Feast That Matters
In many board games, artwork is just decoration. Not here.
In Vantage, the artwork on your location card is critical. You'll study it carefully to determine what you want to interact with. That suspicious cave? That curious glow? That friendly-looking alien creature? It’s not just for show — it’s your clue to what’s possible.
Massive props to artists Valentina Filić, Sören Meding, and Emilien Rotival for crafting such visually evocative and narratively functional art. It’s not just beautiful; it’s purposeful.
Top-Tier Components and Design
As you'd expect from Stonemaier, the component quality is excellent. Over 400 large-format location cards (double-sided), 900+ standard cards, custom dice, skill tokens, unique currency shapes, and optional metal coins all help bring the world of Vantage to life.
Plus, there are companion animals (yes, really), futuristic tech, and strange artifacts to uncover. The variety of discoveries keeps each game session feeling fresh.
Solo or Co-Op? It Shines Either Way
Vantage plays beautifully solo — the personal narrative and mystery-driven mechanics are a perfect fit. But multiplayer adds layers of cooperation, especially as you share clues, offer support with skill tokens, and help each other survive the planet’s many challenges.
It’s a tightrope between sharing enough information and keeping the immersive, first-person feel intact.
Replayability and Accessibility
If you value replayability, Vantage delivers in spades. With so many cards, missions, and outcomes, no two games will be alike. You could play this game 100 times and still discover new content.
As for learning the game, it’s surprisingly approachable despite the depth. That said, with over 30 icons and symbols, having a reference sheet is handy — and luckily, Mindful Games Lab has created a free one-page player aid you can grab at mindfulgameslab.com.
Is Vantage Right for You?
If you love:
Exploration and discovery
Narrative-driven gameplay
First-person immersion
Cooperative storytelling
Games that blend RPG and board game mechanics
Then Vantage should be at the top of your wishlist.
You’ll encounter moments of surprise, suspense, and satisfaction — whether from surviving a high-stakes dice roll or unearthing an unexpected companion. The game is filled with memorable, share-worthy experiences — and the best part? You’re writing the story as you go.
Final Thoughts
Vantage is more than a board game — it’s a storytelling engine disguised as an alien survival adventure. With stunning artwork, thoughtful mechanics, and an astounding amount of content, it sets a new bar for narrative exploration games.
Whether you're flying solo or exploring with friends, this is one journey worth taking.
Want to enhance your game? Download the free Vantage Player Aid with every game icon and symbol from mindfulgameslab.com.
