Game Profile: K2

Death-defying race to summit the worlds second highest mountain.


Mechanics Hand Management, Point-to-Point Movement
Theme Mountain Climbing
Publication Common Man Games/Rebel PL, 2010
Ages 13+
Time 60
Players 1 – 5
Description
K2 is the second largest mountain in the world
with a height of 28,251 ft above sea level and is also known as “Savage Mountain” due to the difficulty of ascent.  In this board game you and your fellow players are going to attempt an ascent to the top of this monster of a mountain where the fatality rate is high.  Can anyone survive to tell the tale?


K2 requires each player manages 2 climbers to reach the top of the mountain and survive not only the climb up, but also the descent. The climbers start at a a base camp where they can rest and acclimatize.  On their turn players will use a variety of movement cards and acclimatization cards.  Sections of the mountain are harder to climb and require more movement points to progress.  The lowest elevations allow climbers to gain acclimatization points.  The higher climbers go on the mountain the more acclimatization points are required to be there.  Each climber carries a tent that can be pitched to provide shelter not only for themselves but also for their climbing team member which in turn will save them valuable acclimatization points.


As in real life, weather plays a big factor when climbing at elevation.  The game provides 18 days of weather for the climb.  Players can see the pending weather conditions for up to 6 days in advance.  Surviving storms at various elevations on the mountain causes the loss of additional acclimatization points.  Bad weather my cause climbers to move to a lower elevation or hurry to a location with a tent for protection. The goal of the game is for each climber to ascend as high as possible and survive in 18 days. Each climber scores points for the highest level they reach.  The team with the most combined points for their 2 climbers wins.  If a climber runs out of acclimatization points they perish on the mountain and score no victory points for their team.


After playing K2 we find that the game really grabs the intensity of climbing at altitude where survival is more important than every climber reaching the summit.  Once players have learned survival skills on the easier side of the game board and the summer climbing weather, they can flip the board over and try a more dangerous climbing route and choose to use the harsher winter weather conditions.


We have an open copy in our Demo Games Library for you to come in and try.




You can also watch this game overview video of K2



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