Ahoy
About the Game
Ahoy is a lightly asymmetrical game where two to four players take the roles of swashbucklers and soldiers seeking Fame on the high seas. One player controls the Bluefin Squadron, a company of sharks and their toothy friends, who patrol these waters and keep order with shot and sword. Another player controls the Mollusk Union, an alliance of undersea creatures and their comrades-in-arms, who fight to reclaim their ancestral home. In games with more people, some players control Smugglers, maveri
Reviews
Ahoy
I was drawn to Ahoy because I adore Leder Games’ other titles and the idea of a lightweight pirate-themed asymmetric game sounded fantastic. After a few plays, I have mixed feelings. On the positive side, it’s breezy to teach and play. The production is colorful and fun, and each faction has its own play style without the rules overhead of something like Root – asymmetry at a lighter weight, as intended. The map-building with tiles is probably my favorite aspect; every game you collectively create a new sea layout, which keeps things from getting stale too quickly. However, the gameplay itself didn’t wow me. With four players, two of us were naval factions fighting over territory while the other two were smugglers running deliveries, and it felt like the smugglers’ game was much simpler and less interesting by comparison. Balance felt a bit off as well – one faction often seemed to have an edge. After maybe 5 plays I realized I wasn’t excited to get it back to the table and ended up trading away my copy. It’s a fine light game, but it lacked the replay value and excitement I was looking for.
✓ Pros
- • Light, easy-to-teach asymmetric game – each faction is unique but not overly complex
- • Charming pirate theme with great artwork and components
- • Tile-based map ensures a different board and scenario each play
✗ Cons
- • Faction balance issues – some roles feel more engaging and powerful than others
- • Limited long-term replayability; only four factions and two of them play very similarly
- • Might be too light and luck-driven for players expecting a deeper strategy game
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