Verdict
A slow-burn exploration game that rewards curiosity more than efficiency.
What It Is
Vantage is a cooperative open-world adventure game for one to six players, designed around exploration, uncertainty, and narrative-driven decision making. Players begin after a crash landing on an unfamiliar planet and are free to roam, investigate locations, and pursue objectives in a non-linear way. Rather than pushing you toward a single storyline, the game emphasizes discovery, consequences, and adapting to whatever the world throws at you.
How It Plays
At the table, Vantage plays through a loop of exploration, checks, and outcomes. Players choose where to travel, reveal new locations and encounters through cards, and resolve most challenges by rolling dice. Dice are a core mechanic and are used frequently to test skills and resolve dangerous situations. They determine how well actions succeed or fail. Modifiers from characters, equipment, and circumstances shape the odds, but outcomes are never fully predictable. Randomness comes primarily from dice rolls and card draws, meaning the game constantly asks players to manage risk rather than calculate perfect moves. Progress is shared, decisions are discussed as a group, and success often depends on choosing when to push forward and when to retreat.
Who It’s For (and Who It’s Not)
This game is best suited for players who enjoy immersive exploration, emergent storytelling, and games where uncertainty is part of the appeal. Groups that like discussing options, reacting to unexpected outcomes, and treating the experience as a journey rather than a puzzle will likely appreciate what Vantage offers. It also works well for solo players who enjoy systems-heavy adventures.
On the other hand, players who dislike frequent dice rolling, prefer tight tactical control, or want outcomes to be mostly skill-driven may find the experience frustrating rather than exciting.
Why It Works
What makes Vantage work is how deliberately it leans into uncertainty without becoming chaotic. Dice rolls matter, but they are framed within meaningful choices about positioning, preparation, and timing. You are rarely just “rolling to see what happens” without context. Instead, the game builds tension by asking you to weigh risk against reward, knowing that failure often changes the story rather than simply stopping progress. That design choice reinforces the feeling of surviving in a hostile, unpredictable world.
One Thing to Know Before You Buy
The biggest caveat is pacing and cognitive load. Because the game relies heavily on dice checks, reference material, and layered systems, turns can slow down, especially early on while everyone is learning how the pieces fit together. Tables that expect fast-flowing turns or minimal bookkeeping may struggle to stay engaged during longer sessions. Vantage rewards patience, but it demands it as well.
If this sounds like the right fit for your table, you can check availability here:
👉 See details on Philibert
If you’re drawn to atmospheric, slower-paced experiences, you may also enjoy browsing our picks in 20 Cozy Board Games You’ll Instantly Fall in Love With.
For groups that need something more accessible across ages, 16 Great Family Board Games for All Ages (2025 Edition) is a safer place to start.
And if you’re still unsure whether Vantage’s dice-heavy, exploratory style is for you, Try Board Games Online Before You Buy: How to Test Games Before Buying can help you explore similar experiences before committing.
