Exploration Games
Browse all Exploration board games in the Meeple Pulse database.
Styles
AbstractAbstract StrategyAdventureAge of ReasonAmerican WestAncientAnimalsAviation / FlightBluffingCard GameChildren's GameCity BuildingCivilizationCo-operativeCollectible ComponentsComic Book / StripCompetitiveDeductionDiceEconomicEducationalElectronicEnvironmentalEuroExpansion for Base-gameExplorationFamilyFan ExpansionFantasyFarmingFightingHistoricalHorrorHumorIndustry / ManufacturingMazeMedicalMedievalMedium HeavyMiniaturesModern WarfareMovies / TV / Radio themeMusicMythologyNapoleonicNauticalNegotiationNumberPartyParty GamePiratesPoliticalPost-NapoleonicPrehistoricPrint & PlayPuzzlePuzzle-LikeRacingReal-timeRenaissanceScience FictionSpace ExplorationSpies / Secret AgentsSportsStrategyTerritory BuildingThematicTrainsTransportationTravelTriviaVideo Game ThemeWargameWord GameWorld War II
Themes
AbstractAdventureAncientAnimalsArea ControlArtAviationBusinessCard GameCity BuildingCo-operativeCombatComic BookCompetitiveCooperativeCrimeEconomicEducationalEmergency ManagementEnvironmentalEnvironmentalismEspionageExplorationFantasyFarmingFightingHigh Player InteractionHistoricalHorrorHumorIndustry / ManufacturingIntrigueLiteraryMagicMarvelMedievalModernMuseumMusicMysteryMythologyNatureNauticalParty GamePoliticalPress Your LuckPuzzleRacingSatireSci-FiScience FictionSocial CommentarySocial InteractionSpaceSportsStrategySuperheroesThematicTravelWarWesternWord-Guessing
Mechanics
3D PlacementActingAction / DexterityAction DraftingAction Point AllowanceAction Point Allowance SystemAction Point SystemAction PointsAction ProgrammingAction QueueAction RetrievalAction SelectionAction/EventAdvantage TokenAlliancesAlternate ActivationApp-AssistedApp-DrivenArea ControlArea InfluenceArea MajorityArea Majority / InfluenceArea MovementArgumentationAsymmetricAsymmetric FactionsAsymmetric GameAsymmetric PowersAsymmetrical PowersAuction & BiddingAuction / BiddingAuction CompensationAuction/BiddingAuction: DutchAuction: Fixed PlacementAuction: Multiple LotAuction: Once AroundAuction: Sealed BidAuctioningAutomatic Resource GrowthBag BuildingBettingBetting and BluffingBetting and WageringBetting and WagersBiasBiddingBingoBlind BiddingBluffingCampaign / Battle Card DrivenCampaign / LegacyCampaign / Legacy GameCampaign / Mission-basedCampaign / ScenariosCampaign GameCampaign PlayCard DraftingCard DrawingCard DrivenCard Driven ActionCard Driven CombatCard Driven Dice AllocationCard Driven MovementCard ManagementCard PlayCard Play / Hand ManagementCard Play Conflict ResolutionCard SheddingCard-Driven MovementCharacter CreationCharacter ProgressionChit-Pull SystemClosed DraftingCo-op PlayCo-operative GameCo-operative PlayCode-breakingCombat ResolutionCombo ChainCommand CardsCommodity SpeculationCommunication LimitsConnectionsConstrained BiddingContract FulfillmentContractsCooperative GameCooperative GameplayCooperative PlayCooperative Trick-takingCritical Hits and FailuresDebateDeck BuildingDeck ConstructionDeck, Bag, and Pool BuildingDeck-BuildingDeductionDelayed PurchaseDexterityDice DraftingDice DrivenDice PlacementDice RollingDie Icon ResolutionDiplomatic InfluenceDraftingDynamic Battle SystemEnclosureEnd Game BonusesEngine BuildingEngine-BuildingEscape RoomEvent DrivenEventsExplorationFarmingFlip and WriteFollowFollow ActionGrid CoverageGrid MovementHand ManagementHex-and-CounterHexagon GridHidden MovementHidden RolesI Cut You ChooseIncomeInfluence / Area MajorityInterruptsInvestmentKing of the HillLadder ClimbingLegacyLegacy ElementsLegacy GameLegacy SystemLimited CommunicationLine DrawingLine of SightLoansLose a TurnMancalaMap AdditionMap MovementMap ReductionMarketMarket DraftingMarket ManipulationMarket MechanicMarket SpeculationMatchingMeasurement MovementMelding and SplayingMemoryMission ObjectivesModular BoardModular Board ConstructionMove Through DeckMovement PointsMovement TemplatesMoving Multiple UnitsMulti-Use CardsMulti-use CardsMultiple ScenariosMust FollowNarrative ChoiceNarrative Choice / ParagraphNegotiationNegotiation MechanicsNeighbor ScopeNetwork & Route BuildingNetwork BuildingNetwork and Route BuildingOnce-Per-Game AbilitiesOne vs ManyOne vs. ManyOpen DraftingOrderingOwnershipPaper-and-PencilPartnershipsPattern BuildingPattern MovementPattern RecognitionPick-up and DeliverPlayer EliminationPlayer InteractionPlayer JudgePoint SaladPoint to Point MovementPolyominoesProgrammed MovementPush Your LuckPush-Your-LuckPuzzlePuzzle-LikePuzzle-SolvingRaceRe-rolling and LockingReal-TimeRecipe FulfillmentResource ManagementResource to MoveRole PlayingRole SelectionRoles with Asymmetric InformationRoll / Spin and MoveRondelRoute BuildingRoute-BuildingRoute/Network BuildingSanity SystemScenario / Campaign PlayScenario / Mission / Campaign GameScenario / Mission FunctionSecret Unit DeploymentSemi-Cooperative GameSet CollectionSheddingSimulationSimultaneous ActionSimultaneous Action SelectionSimultaneous Hidden AllocationSingingSlide / PushSocial DeductionSocial InteractionSolo / Solitaire GameSpace ExplorationSpellingSquare GridStat Check / Skill CheckStat Check ResolutionStock HoldingStorytellingStrategic PlanningTableau BuildingTactical Decision-MakingTagsTake ThatTargeted CluesTeam PlayTeam-Based GameTeam-Based GuessingTeamworkTech TreesTech Trees / Tech TracksTechnology & Armament TracksTechnology TreeTension & Aggression TracksTile DraftingTile LayingTile PlacementTime TrackTime TravelTower DefenseTrack MovementTradingTraitor GameTrick-takingTug of WarTurn Order: Claim ActionTurn Order: PassTurn Order: Pass OrderTurn Order: ProgressiveTurn Order: Stat-BasedTurn Order: Time TrackUnit PlacementVariable Phase OrderVariable Player PowersVariable Set-upVariable SetupVictory Point TracksVictory Points as a ResourceVotingWord AssociationWord GameWord GuessingWord-GuessingWord-guessingWordplayWorker PlacementWorker Placement with Dice WorkersWorker Placement, Different Worker TypesZone of Control

RANK #12
Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion is an adventure that precedes the original Gloomhaven, offering a fresh narrative and new characters. Players take on roles such as Valrath Red Guard, Inox Hatchet, Human Voidwarden, and Quatryl Demolitionist, each with unique abilities designed to cater to different playstyles. The game introduces 16 new monster types, including seven standard monsters and three formidable bosses, challenging heroes in a campaign of 25 scenarios centered around mysterious disappearances within the city. These scenarios unfold on the scenario book itself, featuring hexagonal grid movement and line-of-sight mechanics that add depth to exploration and combat. The simplified rule set and five-scenario tutorial make it accessible for newcomers while maintaining the engaging complexity that seasoned players appreciate. With its rich narrative and diverse character options, Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion invites both casual and experienced gamers into a world where every decision matters.
1-4 120m⚖️ 3.6

RANK #70
In Pandemic Legacy: Season 2, players step into the roles of survivors navigating a world ravaged by an ancient plague. The game challenges you and your fellow players to work together against time and fate, as each session could be your last. Your mission is to keep humanity alive by managing resources, battling diseases, and maintaining connections between floating havens and distant cities. Each turn, you'll use action points to move, treat diseases, build infrastructure, and trade with other players. The legacy system ensures that every playthrough is unique; decisions made in one game will impact the next, creating a narrative of survival and struggle that unfolds over multiple sessions. What makes this game truly compelling is its ability to blend cooperative gameplay with high replayability, as each player's journey through the post-apocalyptic world is tailored by their choices and actions. The variable player powers add depth, allowing for strategic planning and adaptation throughout your campaign.
2-4 60m⚖️ 3.3

Immerse yourself in the epic struggle of the Rebel Alliance with Star Wars: Imperial Assault – Legends of the Alliance. As a team of up to four players, you'll unite against the oppressive forces of the Galactic Empire, each taking on the role of iconic Rebel heroes from the Star Wars universe. The game's cooperative nature ensures that every player has a unique and engaging experience, as your combined efforts are crucial in thwarting Imperial plans.
The gameplay unfolds on a modular board, where you navigate through various environments, from the frozen wastelands of Hoth to the bustling streets of Naboo. Dice rolling is central to the game, determining the success or failure of your missions and adding an element of unpredictability that keeps each playthrough fresh. Grid movement allows for strategic positioning, while variable player powers ensure that no two games are alike, offering a high degree of replayability.
What sets Legends of the Alliance apart is its seamless transition from competitive to cooperative gameplay. With the Legends of the Alliance companion app taking over the role of the Imperial player, you can now fully immerse yourself in the narrative campaigns designed by Fantasy Flight Games. This expansion not only enriches the existing game but also introduces new challenges and storylines that will keep players engaged for hours on end.
1-4 120m⚖️ 3.3