The Cursed Island

It’s Hallowe’en tomorrow and so to celebrate this macabre twin of St Valentine’s Day I thought I’d play the spookiest scenario on Robinson Crusoe: The Cursed Island.

Day One

I, the ship’s cook, am the only survivor from our expedition of exorcists to lift the curse on a distant island. A storm took our ship and smashed it to pieces. Thankfully, by the grace of God, I survived. But why God chose to save the cook, I cannot guess. My mission is to built five crosses on this island, which will surely drive the demons out.

On my first day I befriend a native (who I shall call Friday) and his dog. Lovely people. Clearly an exception since this is a cursed island, after all.

I explore some hills to the east and find an old map which, for some reason, cheers me up. I also find another native willing to help me build things. Two exceptions in one day! How fortunate!


Day Two

We all stayed in and built things. Friday and I built a pot which we then immediately broke. At least the shovel we also made stayed in one piece.

A simple day spent in the company of genuine, honest folk. I have to keep reminding myself that they are possessed and need saving.

Day Three

I took the dog exploring in some mountains and severely wounded myself when I found the Altar Of Death. They shouldn’t make the corners so sharp.

We succeeded in making a pot that lasts. Mysterious fog shrouded the rolling hills to the east. It had an air of foreboding...

Day Four

I could hear movement in the undergrowth, and had to prepare myself for a fight. I couldn’t tell what it was, but it sounded very loud. I get the feeling it will attack first thing tomorrow morning.

I made a knife. Let it do its worst.

Day Five

It was a wild tapir! I killed it easily.

Invigorated by my slaughter, I set out to build my first cross. I put it in the mountains. Ha! Take that, Altar Of Death!

I also found a sacrificial dagger. As a pagan artifact, I should throw it away, but it’ll come in handy for whittling, etc.


Day Six

Like yesterday, I explored and built. The weather took a turn for the worse and I was unprepared, unless you count an unwavering faith in the Lord as “prepared”.

In some foggy hills I found a cultist hideout. How disgraceful. Although one did offer to help me build something tomorrow. Nice chap.

I built another cross. Two down, three to go.

The weather tonight could not have been worse. I burnt all my wood just to keep warm during this unseasonable snowstorm.


Day Seven

Friday was looking very ill. He drew me a map of the island and it almost killed him! I wondered if he’ll last much longer. If he does die, though, this map is a lovely parting gesture.

I built a fire and fireplace with help from the natives. I kept asking them about the curse, but they didn’t seem to know what I was talking about.


Day Eight

I woke up despondant. There’s no way I could get both wood for another cross and enough food in one day. My plan was surely doomed.

Then I remembered I have a pipe and tobacco and a flask of rum and suddenly I felt much better about things. Still no actual food or wood, though.

I discovered wide open plains and another native who was willing to help me. What lovely people. You’d hardly guess they were all possessed by the devil.

Day Nine

Attacked by a wild fox! Killed it easily. Ha!

Friday went out alone looking for wood and, to my surprise, he came back alive! Judging by his ill health, I had expected to never see him again.

I attempted to build a cross, but fail. This surely spelt the end of my plan to lift the curse on this beautiful island full of generous people.

The weather tonight was driving rain and snow, and I finished the rest of my wood keeping a fire going. It wasn’t possible for me to complete my plan, so I have decided to close this diary here.

I am cursed to live among these helpful, humorous people who know nothing of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Except... this idyllic place seems awfully close to my idea of heaven...

Oh my. Perhaps I didn’t survive the shipwreck after all!

Isle of games

So I gave my new game (thanks again, everyone) a closer look this morning. The rule book was pretty poor, but I found a playthrough on YouTube and some game guides on BGG, which helped enormously. First I tried it playing a two-player game on my own until they were both almost dead. Then I decided to play it as a proper one-player game, with Man Friday and a dog to help me.

Me, explorer

It was fun. Kind of fiddly with lots of cards, cubes and tokens, but the board is laid out so you do the actions in a logical order. Loads of icons and text, though, and they’re pretty small. But the game is entertaining, and it tells a good story (see below). If you like a co-op game with a strong narrative, then this is the game for you.

Anyway, here are my notes from my first game.


Day one

Last night a terrible storm upended the ship I was on. I was washed up on the shores of a desert island, almost certainly the last survivor of the wreck. I only have a pistol, my pipe and tobacco. I meet a native, Friday, and his dog. After a quick search of the surroundings I find a valley, and two candles and a broken bottle.


Day two

There was a hurricane last night and all my resources have been blown into the future! I cannot access them until tonight. I asked Friday to draw a map of the island, and he hurt himself while he did. I also make a basic shovel.


Day three

I am hit by a sudden depression. In my darkest hour, I vow to never build a cellar or invent the drums. Meanwhile, Friday shows me a shortcut back to the beach, but hurts himself doing so. I worry about him.


Day four

I discover that the hurricane two days ago ruined my pipe and tobacco. The dog and I went hunting and now we have fur so I can think about building a shelter. I discover some mountains and I eat a parrot. Wintry rain at night.


Day five

I build a shelter, and Friday and I build a pit to capture more food. Weather is good. Things are looking pretty positive.

Map, shovel and pit all built and ready to use

Day six

A natural dam broke this morning, sweeping away my food. At least I got some wood out of it. Went hunting for food and got some more fur. Now I can add a roof to my shelter! Rain at night.


Day seven

Animal cries from the interior of the island tell me it is not safe to hunt today. I stay at the camp and improve my weapon, hurting myself in the process (well, I had to try it on something). The cold weather means wild animals are attracted to my camp at night, and I fight them off, laughing manically as I do.


Day eight

Wild animals are still circling. I should build a fire so I can signal for help. Then again, I quite like it here. Especially with my new level-two roof.

The island, mid-exploration

Day nine

A bear has been seen near the camp, but I’m more worried about building a fire and collecting wood. While out foraging, I find a helmet and I notice the first winter frost. I send Friday out to look for wood too, but he never comes back. I hope he’s okay.


Day ten

Still haven’t discovered fire. I move camp due to a landslide, but the bear is following me. Unless it’s a different bear, of course. A ship is sighted on the horizon, so I build a fire but hurt myself doing so. I really must stop testing everything I make on me.

Now I'm alone, my motivational speech special ability

just looks like the rantings of a mad man.

Day eleven

Snow on the ground. Ship still in sight. I find a chest full of gold coins! Unfortunately they have no purpose here, and the dog is unimpressed by my sudden wealth. I go foraging, but hurt myself during my second trip and come back empty handed. Terrible storm tonight: the pallisade falls down.


Day twelve

That bear finally attacks. Good job I found that helmet. I’m able to kill it with my last bullet and a broken bottle. I don’t have enough wood to signal to the ship, and it sails away without me. Resigned to my future on this island, I decide to build a dam and a knife to make things more managable. But I fail both times, hurting myself twice. All is lost. All is lost.

That's a busy table