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Collection Status
Your Rating
Description
Each player attempts to score the most points by snaking caravan routes through the desert, trying to reach oases and blocking off sections of the desert. Many people feel that it is reminiscent of Go.
Publisher's Description
From the award-winning game designer Reiner Knizia comes a game of strategy, patience, and cool plastic camels! The desert is still treacherous, mysterious, and without mercy. But for those willing to risk the dangers of the shifting, sun-baked sands, the desert holds riches beyond compare.
In Through the Desert, two to five players each control a tribe of nomads vying for control of the desert. By establishing caravans and taking over oases, the players gain points as their tribes increase in power.
Strategy is essential in deciding how and where to build your tribe's caravans. There are multiple ways to gain points and several ways to win. Should you try to build the longest caravan? Or should you dominate the desert's oases? Don't forget to keep an eye on your opponents' caravans, or you may find your own tribe cut off from valuable water holes.
Through the Desert is part of the so called Knizia tile-laying trilogy.
Year Published
1998
Transcript Analysis
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 11
This page: 11
Sentiment:
pos 10 ·
mix 0 ·
neu 0 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–11 of 11
Video qEUdjFZZGWo
top_10_list at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 62471 · mention_pk 155054
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Easy to learn with a concise, accessible rule set
- Short playtime (roughly 30-40 minutes) makes it great for multiple games in one session
- High player interaction and strategic depth across 2-5 players
- Clear path to competitive yet approachable decisions
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Trade routes and caravan building
- Desert map with five camel caravans competing to reach oases
- Abstract/strategic placement with spatial competition
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Control — Players split and connect routes to secure oases and can close off sections of the map to block opponents and gain scoring opportunities.
- area_control/area_denial — Players split and connect routes to secure oases and can close off sections of the map to block opponents and gain scoring opportunities.
- color_completion — Camels come in five colors; players manage multiple color caravans to optimize placement and scoring.
- placement — On each turn you place two camels adjacent to your existing caravans to extend routes and claim space on the map.
- scoring_tokens/oases — Points are earned by reaching oases and by closing off map sections to collect point tokens.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Everyone I've shown this to has loved it.
- The game plays in about 30 to 40 minutes and is incredible at every player count from two to five.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video fVg_Iwz4EnY
All You Can Board general_discussion at 0:33 sentiment: positive
video_pk 62448 · mention_pk 154967
Click to watch at 0:33 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Two-player knight-side adds tension and additional scoring paths
- Expansion modules add variety without changing core essence
- Still a classic with strong pacing and strategic depth
- Good balance of scoring options and end-game tension
Cons
- Expansion can add complexity; not all modules may be desirable
- Some players may prefer focusing on base game without modules
Thematic elements
- Trade and caravan route-building in a desert environment
- Camel caravans crossing a desert to claim oases and scoring tiles
- Abstract strategic puzzle with modular scoring options and a two-player twist
Comparison games
- Through the Desert (original)
- Through the Desert (new version)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- area_oasis_scoring — Scoring tiles and oases provide points; crossing rivers on the two-player knight-side adds points.
- expansion_integration — Optional Bizaar expansion modules add new scoring opportunities and variations.
- Point Salad — Scoring tiles and oases provide points; crossing rivers on the two-player knight-side adds points.
- route_building — Caravan paths must be extended while avoiding matching colors with opponents; strategic placement matters.
- tile placement — Players place camel caravans on tiles to extend their routes and form connections to scoring tiles.
- tile_laying — Players place camel caravans on tiles to extend their routes and form connections to scoring tiles.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Through the Desert is a Cania tile lane game, camel lane game, if you if you will
- I started to dive into that and it's added to this as well. And I really think it's a pretty solid expansion.
- It's the same game. It's the same essence.
- Not that it needs that two players cuz the base game is from the original is super good at two still
- It's such an amazing game.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video VLt7MPOOmkM
All You Can Board top_3_list at 3:10 sentiment: positive
video_pk 62472 · mention_pk 155055
Click to watch at 3:10 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- highly interactive and easy to learn
- refined, streamlined rules
- works well at 2-5 players and scales smoothly
- great for both new and experienced players
Cons
- theme is fairly abstract
- some may wish for more thematic depth
Thematic elements
- Trade and caravan route-building
- Desert map with caravan routes and oases
- abstract, streamlined
Comparison games
- Carcassonne
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- area control / tile-like placement — Place two camels per turn to extend caravans and claim scoring opportunities; aim to connect caravans to oases and token spaces.
- Compound Scoring — Score via oases, point tokens on spaces, and ability to close off map sections to sweep points.
- multi-use turn pacing — Each turn you place two camels adjacent to existing caravans; limited placement options drive strategic tension.
- reach-based scoring — Score via oases, point tokens on spaces, and ability to close off map sections to sweep points.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I would rate a 10 out of 10.
- Through the Desert is incredibly interactive at every player count.
- The production quality of RAW is outstanding.
- Arboritum is very interactive, but in a cutthroat way.
- Botswana is the simplest on the list, but with depth.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 8P2wnpdhg8w
All You Can Board general_discussion at 45:00
video_pk 62461 · mention_pk 155020
Click to watch at 45:00 · YouTube ↗
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- optimization is the death of discovery and exploration in board games.
- We don't accept gatekeeping.
- Gloom Haven sized box.
- Don't think you have to back day one.
- This is going to be a standalone game. This isn't meant to be combined.
- You can't please everyone.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Pas-TtJBf9o
Board Games Hitting My Table general_discussion at 2:16 sentiment: positive
video_pk 13729 · mention_pk 40089
Click to watch at 2:16 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Works well at two players and above
- Solid, elegant feel for a Knizia design
Cons
- Prefer higher player counts for fuller experience
Thematic elements
- caravan expansion along routes for points
- Desert caravan routes and oases
- classic abstract/route-building
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- area denial / positioning — place caravans to segment and block paths for others
- Network/route building — connect caravans to oases to gain points
- Route Building — connect caravans to oases to gain points
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- this one is a lovely game by Stephan Dora, a great design in his own right.
- you are trying to collect exactly three of these animal tokens of each type to get the maximum amount of points
- a real brain burner but so simple and elegant to play as well
- Lost Cities a joy to get that one back to the table
- it's far too long I think it took us nearly two hours to play this which is obscene for the weight of the game
- Katarena one of the best abstract strategy games out there
- this is a bit of a whitewash of a game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video JTjJ4r3UOG0
Ask the Chairman general_discussion at 20:13 sentiment: positive
video_pk 10324 · mention_pk 30457
Click to watch at 20:13 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Tight, strategic routes with meaningful decisions
- Accessible to players familiar with euro design
Cons
- Some players might prefer more direct confrontation
- Requires forward-planning to maximize route value
Thematic elements
- Caravan network/area influence
- Desert caravans and trade routes
- Tactical route-building with a modular scoring feel
Comparison games
- Babylonia
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Route-building / area control — Players construct caravan routes to claim scoring opportunities across the desert.
- Set-collection / area timing — Placement decisions influence which routes score and when.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I generally don't like table hog games; I prefer it to be a bit more concise and reigned in.
- I do enjoy teaching games and I feel a much more comfortable teaching games than learning games from other people.
- Luck vs Randomness—Luck is about controlling decisions; Randomness is when you have no control over what happens.
- Publishers underestimate negative reviews; sometimes a negative review can be positive for a publisher because it shows a different demographic that would enjoy the game.
- Babylonia is one of my highest rated games.
- Through the Desert is different enough from Babylonia; Babylonia allows you to place tokens anywhere, Through the Desert has a different scoring mechanism.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video BpPv6huSZBg
Chairman of the Board top_10_list at 9:10 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8685 · mention_pk 25571
Click to watch at 9:10 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- minimalist purist design
- clear, elegant trade-offs and timing
Cons
- the board can look open at first, which may mislead new players
Thematic elements
- opportunity cost; area influence
- camel caravans crossing a desert map
- minimalist, elegance in simplicity
Comparison games
- Torres
- Medina
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- edge control / blocking — Closing off areas and linking tokens yields end-game scoring.
- resource/point token management — Extending caravans to reach oases and placing camel caravans on a hex grid to score tokens.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- my top 10 board games that are pure and trendproof
- these games have a timeless quality to them where it almost feels like they could have been played 100 years ago as well as still be played like 100 years in the future
- these games are not necessarily in order of what is more timeless and what isn't because I obviously feel like they either fit that category or they don't
- they all fit that category of feeling trendproof
- these are evergreen games that will weather the storm and stand the test of time
- Push your luck games have a timeless feel to them because… staying in one more round or dropping out and keeping what you've got is kind of a real visceral emotion
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video mygoxQgo8PM
No Pun Included top_10_list at 11:40 sentiment: positive
video_pk 7350 · mention_pk 21718
Click to watch at 11:40 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- sharp, mean, satisfying
- simple core system with deep decisions
- works well at multiple player counts
Cons
- older components/art may feel dated
- rules may require careful teaching
Thematic elements
- competition for routes and oases
- caravans across a desert
- abstract/strategic
Comparison games
- Ticket to Ride
- Go
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- area scoring — scores depend on route completion and oasis control
- blocking and push-out — pushing opponents' cubes yields advantage
- multi-use actions — managing five caravan leaders across five colors
- placement — place camels to extend routes and block opponents
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- What a good game.
- Through the Desert is one of his best.
- Real board games are the enemies we made along the way.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video SPiSgt96BW8
All Play interview at 7:49 sentiment: positive
video_pk 4102 · mention_pk 12006
Click to watch at 7:49 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Classic Knizia design, widely recognized in hobby
- Fits All Play's approachable strategy niche
Cons
- Older design may have a steeper learning curve for new players
Thematic elements
- trade and route-building with color-based mechanics
- Desert caravan routes and oases
- classic abstract theme with accessible presentation
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- area influence and scoring — score based on connections and color distribution
- set collection and route-building — players collect colors and build routes connecting oases
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- we are a company that believes in game night
- Kickstarter is the platform there is no pledge management service tied to it
- all play is just going to be a better fit for the company
- we are a small company
- River Valley Glassworks... this is going to be a big product Focus
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video i7UVXtHkVxY
Board Games Hitting My Table general_discussion at 0:46 sentiment: positive
video_pk 2802 · mention_pk 8166
Click to watch at 0:46 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- tight play with clear opportunity costs
- multiple viable scoring paths adds depth
Cons
- some players may find it niche or heavy on analysis
Thematic elements
- caravan trade and desert exploration
- desert caravan routes, oases, caravans expanding across arid terrain
- abstracted route-building with thematic flavor
Comparison games
- Cascadia
- Calico
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Control — players compete to extend caravans and secure sections of the board for endgame scoring
- area_control — players compete to extend caravans and secure sections of the board for endgame scoring
- set_collection/route-building — score via caravans connecting oases and tiles; multiple scoring pathways exist
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's really tight this Bard is and the opportunity cost of doing one thing
- there are so many different ways you can score in this game
- it's punchy
- the game end really does rush up on you
- polished, refined, gorgeous to look at
- you can just take the pieces off the board and go again
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 1TVpJ_ujsaU
Unknown Channel top_10_list at 3:10 sentiment: positive
video_pk 400 · mention_pk 1189
Click to watch at 3:10 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- beautiful packaging and simple rules
- quick play with strategic depth
Cons
- not overly thematic for some players
- interface simplicity may underwhelm heavier gamers
Thematic elements
- desert traversal and resource planning
- arid desert caravan routes and oases
- elective routes and scoring through route completion
Comparison games
- Through the Ages
- Puerto Rico
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- placement of camels — players place camels to extend routes and score points
- set collection and area control-lite — control of desert areas to optimize scoring opportunities
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's my turn. The thing is that it is also one of the worst things about this game cuz sometimes you'll be waiting forever to take your turn.
- I really love this set because I love Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
- This stands out because it's a very tough cooperative board game with tons of choices and you most likely will lose a few times before figuring it out.
- This game is freaking fantastic.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
Showing 1–11 of 11