Following a successful Kickstarter project that raised nearly $1.5 million, Arcs saw an early release at Gen Con. It has quickly become a top contender for Game of the Year and is currently one of the hottest games in the tabletop market.
Arcs Overview
Arcs is the newest game by designer Cole Wehrle, the mind behind popular games like Root, Oath, and Pax Pamir. Published by Leder Games, it features what has quickly become their signature art style, as seen in Root, only this time set to science fiction.
The gameplay of Arcs features a unique combination of a trick-taking game and a follow-the-leader mechanic. In each round, one player leads by playing a card and taking the associated actions. Players can follow this by playing a higher card in the same suit and taking those actions, playing a card from a different suit and taking only one of the associated actions, or playing a card face down for one action from the card the leader played.
The appeal of Arcs is that players cannot go into it with a fixed strategy. Every round, players will be limited by the cards they have in their hands and what the leading player puts down. Add to that the fact that the scoring conditions change in each of the five rounds. Arcs excels in forcing players to be adaptable. Trying to approach a game of Arcs with a strategy in mind is only going to leave a player frustrated and unfulfilled. Because each round will bring with it unexpected twists, players will need to remain open to possibilities while thinking tactically.
Public Reception
Overall, most players have been thrilled about Arcs. It’s simpler to learn than Root and has a very different experience to offer. It was the standout hit of Gen Con and some people are already championing it for awards.
One complaint that people have made fairly consistently, however, is regarding an element of graphic design. Namely, there is an icon in the corner of each of the planets on the board which denotes what type of planet it is. This icon is both too small and of too similar a color to the planet, making it difficult to see. For colorblind players, this is especially difficult. It should be easy to change, and perhaps it will be made clearer in future printings of Arcs.
Release and Onward
Arcs is expected to have its retail release in the fall, before the holidays. This probably means that it will be a hot gift this season for those in the hobby, on the level of games such as Wingspan in prior years. As far as what the future holds, it’s hard to be sure. The Kickstarter has already featured a small pack of cards to expand some aspects of the game, as well as a campaign mode. If Root is anything to go by, we could see a few expansions for Arcs pop up periodically over the next few years.
Honestly, Arcs might not be for everyone. The gameplay doesn’t feel thematic, the board is small and static, and the art style can be a little polarizing. That said, the design of Arcs is tight, and most gamers will probably get past any nitpicks and find it a very enjoyable game. It will run about $60, which is a common price for a game its size, but may also put off some of the more casual audience. Nonetheless, Arcs is bound to find a steady fanbase, just as Wehrle’s previous games have.
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