A Board Game Review of Vast: The Crystal Caverns
Become Part of the Legend…
The dragon has slept for many long years. During that time, the cave beneath which it slumbers has changed greatly. Goblins and strange monsters now roam its gloomy depths, and whispers tell of a cave that has somehow become alive — thinking, shifting, and growing ever more dangerous.
Still, tales of danger rarely overshadow rumors of treasure. And treasure there may be, for where a dragon sleeps, there also lies a fiercely guarded hoard. Malevolent crystals cast spectral light throughout the cavern, concealing the entrance to an immeasurable trove. Many adventurers have lost their lives searching for it, and over time, those stories have faded into legend.
But the bravest adventurers are not discouraged by bloodshed. On this day, a knight steps into the darkness, her gloved hand gripping the hilt of her sword. Years of victories and defeats have led her to this final quest. Knowing the kingdom can never truly know peace while the dragon remains beneath the cave, she has come to make her stand. Little does she realize she is about to awaken everything lurking within the shadows… and begin the final battle in the darkness.
Enter the world of Vast: The Crystal Caverns…
Vast brings you and your friends into a classic cave-crawling adventure built around total asymmetry. Gone are the days of a simple band of heroes fighting evil together. In Vast, each player becomes a different part of the legend.
Play as the brave Knight, the chaotic Goblin Horde, the colossal and greedy Dragon, or even the Cave itself — ancient, brooding, and determined to crush those who dare invade its depths. Every role has its own powers, mechanics, components, and victory conditions, and in the end, there can be only one winner.
As the ultimate asymmetric board game, Vast: The Crystal Caverns offers enormous replayability as players experiment with different roles and combinations. Play a deadly one-on-one battle between the Knight and Goblins, or add the Dragon and the Cave for a deeper, more unpredictable experience every time you play.
Created by Leder Games, Vast is the work of Patrick Leder and a small team from Saint Paul dedicated to producing games that are imaginative, artistic, and socially conscious.
My Thoughts…
Patrick Leder created a highly thematic, strategic, and press-your-luck board game unlike anything else I have played. What makes Vast truly unique is that every player — the Knight, Dragon, Goblin Horde, and even the Cave — has their own player board, abilities, mechanics, and objectives.
The Knight wins by slaying the Dragon or smashing five crystals and escaping through the cave entrance before falling to the Goblin Horde. The Goblins win by killing the Knight or defeating the Dragon. The Dragon must awaken, surface on a crystal tile, and escape through the entrance. Meanwhile, the Cave wins by placing all cave tiles and then collapsing the cavern until five crystal tiles are destroyed, trapping and killing the other players.
What I especially enjoy is how the Cave functions almost like a balancing force within the game, strategically shaping the dungeon while preventing any one player from advancing too quickly. There is even a fifth role, the Thief, who disrupts everyone else while attempting to stash six treasures or Dragon Gems.
Very interesting game overall, and one I am definitely looking forward to playing again soon.
For more information, check out Vast: The Crystal Caverns on BoardGameGeek:
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/170416/vast-crystal-caverns
You can also visit my BGG profile at:
https://boardgamegeek.com/user/InsaneSkitso
