Maeshowe: an Orkney Saga

A gritty hand-management card game of survival for 1–2 players, set in the chambered tomb of Maeshowe in Orkney during the twelfth century. Players manage hands of five cards while balancing health, food, and the cards remaining in the draw deck. Each turn, one card is played to the row and one is discarded. Sets of four Excavation cards remove rubble blocking the escape, but incomplete sets are lost. The tomb presents further dangers, including collapsing passages and dwindling food, while rest and other events may provide relief. Players lose if their health reaches zero or the draw deck runs out before they escape.

Players: 1–2 best 2
Playing time: 15–30 min
Age: 12+
Complexity: 1.8 / 5