Two steps forward to score backwards is the name of the game here in the first small expansion to the card game Far Away from Catch Up Games.
For anyone not familiar with the original, Far Away is a game where you play 8 rounds of choosing a single card to play in front of you. Some of these cards contain standard points totals you earn for playing them. Others have scoring conditions based on the other cards you play, and most of the deck contain some manner of requirement before that scoring opportunity is unlocked.
But here is the twist: at the end of round 8 you turn over all of your cards face down, revealing them to score from the last card you played back to your first, and it is only the cards face up when you score each that count, either towards scoring opportunities or for the icons played to unlock them.
It can be a little bit of a puzzle to begin with to wrap your head around. You want to play your cards with the higher requirements earlier, so you have time to unlock them safely or make use of the scoring opportunities which it presents. However, each card has another number which you should always be mindful of, known as the cards duration.
Play cards in ascending order of duration to your last played card and you can claim an additional “sanctuary card” into your tableau. These cards stay face up constantly and add to all of your scoring requirements and opportunities throughout.
This sets up an interesting risk and reward system, as a number of the bigger value scoring cards have high durations, meaning you may not be able to claim as many sanctuaries across your eight round journey. And with your duration also setting your order against drawing from a visible pool of cards into your hand each round, some strategy is needed to make sure you are earning and maximising on your opportunities in each game.
The People from Below expansion adds a series of additional cards into the mix, improves the value of a “forgotten” grey suit in the base game deck by giving additional scoring opportunities, and adds an additional set collection scoring opportunity for the icons on base game cards. It integrates seamlessly with the original game to the point where I have to check the additional rules to see what was actually added in, whilst keeping the same fantastic art style and production value.
For all of the gritty decisions above, this is a game which can be played in around 30 minutes at anywhere from 2 to 6 players, and the game is a joy at all player counts. The art style, as I mention above, is a quirky and colourful mix of cartoon characters perfect for all ages, and the box size is perfect for travelling with as well, although it could actually be made smaller (a scary prospect given its already tiny form factor).
I have played this game with and without the expansion with a multitude of both gamer and non gamer friends and family. It’s a fast teach but it generally will take some players a couple of tries before they get the scoring order vs playing order mechanic in their mind (at which point their score totals will improve rapidly!). At such a short playtime it makes this perfect to have multiple games of in a row, or to use as a starting point to get everything going on game night.
My only critique would be that any further expansions and I will need to resort to removing the organiser in the original box and replace it with another option, which may be messier given the non standard square card size of the main deck. It is such a small concern however and I cannot wait to see what variety another expansion could bring with it, and even whether the player count could be increased further with additional cards in the mix.
About the Author:
Tim is a freelance blogger and gaming enthusiast. Civil Engineer by day, Euro game engine builder by night, 90s kid who never left behind the old Nintendo Gameboy pocket, chess set or deck of cards, just expanded the collection instead. I can also be found on instagram sharing my gaming thoughts at @boardly.speaking
