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- BGG #1,624
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- 6.7
Cartagena
- 2–5 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 1.6/5
- 2000
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- BGG #11,474
- BGG rating
- 7.0
Cartagena: Escape Diaries
2023
Rules assistance for Cartagena: Escape Diaries
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–5 players
- 30–45 min
- 8+
- Complexity 1.7/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Cartagena: Escape Diaries
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Cartagena: Escape Diaries is a board game released in 2023 for 2–5 players, 30–45 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Leo Colovini and its main mechanics are Hand Management, Race, and Track Movement.
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About the game
Cartagena: Escape Diaries is based on the classic game Cartagena and features multiple ways to play. In the original game, now dubbed the "First Escape", each player has a group of six animal pirates, and you want to be the first to have all six escape through the tortuous underground passage that connects the fortress to the port, where a sloop is waiting for them. To move a pirate, you need to play a card from your hand. Each card bears one of six symbols, and when you play a card, you move one of your pirates forward to the next matching symbol in the tunnel, leapfrogging over matching symbols where another pirate already stands. The only way to get more cards, however, is to move backwards; more specifically, you move one of your pirates backwards to the first space that holds one or two pirates, drawing one or two cards after doing so. Each turn, you take 1-3 actions, whether moving forward or backward or both. When you move a pirate to the end of the track, it jumps on the sloop where it must await the other pirates in its crew. With every step toward victory, though, you have fewer and fewer pirates to move each turn, possibly locking you in to actions you don't want, so be sure to plan ahead and not leave yourself empty-handed! In the "Second Escape", called "Follow the Captain", you get to place a captain hat on one of your pirates and use the powers of this leader. In the "Third Escape", "Risky Rafts", you can take a chance to escape the fortress more quickly on a leaky raft — and risk sinking in the attempt. By combining the Second and Third Escapes, you have the "Fourth Escape" — "All Together Now!"
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Pretzel Games
Questions and answers
Cartagena: Escape Diaries supports 2–5 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Cartagena: Escape Diaries is 30–45 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Cartagena: Escape Diaries for ages 8 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Cartagena: Escape Diaries has a complexity rating of 1.7 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Cartagena: Escape Diaries belongs to these categories: Nautical and Pirates. Its main mechanics are Hand Management, Race, and Track Movement. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Cartagena: Escape Diaries are: Leo Colovini. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Cartagena: Escape Diaries as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.