Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest by Stonemaier Games

Review by Ryan Miller

Do you like pirates? How about sky pirates? How about anthropomorphic sky pirates? If you’re like me, at least one of those items are going to et your attention. Originally released in 2012 without the subtitle, this updated version of the game ditches the early edition’s red and gold palate for a more soft color design and also, once again, anthropomorphic animals.

Without having had played the original edition of Libertalia, I won’t be able to directly compare the two, but if the original is anything like this excellent version, I imagine it’ll come down to a decision on aesthetics. The more recent Winds of Galecrest edition tugs at that Tailspin nostalgia, albeit loosely. Each player receives the same deck of cards that features 40 different single voyage crew members. Players will use these crew members and their abilities over three voyages lasting anywhere between three and five in-game days. After the third voyage is over, the player’s ship with the most gold wins. Seems simple, right? The best part of all that is it actually is simple.

As I’ve previously written, the game takes place over three voyages. The first voyage has three days, the second has four, and the final has five. Players begin each day selecting the crew member of their choice for the day. Each of your crew members has a numerical value and an ability. The numerical value determines placement on the board and abilities can be triggered at the designated time of day they represent.

There are four types of abilities. They are daytime, dusk, night, and end of voyage. Once players activate daytime abilities numerically from lowest to highest, they will then activate dusk abilities in reverse numerical order along with grabbing a loot token for the day. Each piece of loot has either a desirable or detrimental effect.

Despite the games simplicity, it has tremendous replay value. Each of your forty crew cards have an ability unique to them to help you amass loot or gold along the way. The interesting thing about this game is that every player has the same deck of crew members. Not only will they have the same deck but everyone has the exact same hand, at least at first. Since players have the same pool of cards to choose from, that’s where your strategy will be paramount.

All that aside, not only is the game fun and simple, but as ever, Stone Maier has delivered an excellent package with well crafted pieces. Not only is the art fun and appropriate, but it is also cohesive. Additionally, like many of their games before this, clean up is easy. It has clear storage placement for each piece in the game.

I would pretty much recommend this game to just about anyone. It’s got something for everyone, whether that thing be pirates, sky pirates, or anthropomorphic sky pirates. Jokes aside, a game this cute and simple could probably lure your average monopoly player to the dark(read: interesting) side of board gaming. The re-playability will have you returning to voyage for more loot often, and the card abilities will have you envisioning combos in your sleep. Surprise, another impressive Stone Maier release.