Alcatraz: The Scapegoat

A coop game for 3 to 4 players with an element of backstabbing as only 2 of the players will win the game. The players take the role of prisoners planning their escape from Alcatraz. Together, you must navigate the prison collecting items which would help complete a few tasks. Complete 7 tasks and you are free, fail and the prison will be overrun by guards and you will be stuck in prison.

Our first play-through of the game was a 3 player game. Knowing one of us would be left behind in the prison, I wanted to make sure I was the one completing the plans. The other players probably had the same idea. For the first half of the game, we were constantly getting in each other’s way and trying to be the one to complete the plan. Before we knew it, most of the guards had appeared and time was running out. We started to cooperate and come up with a strategy which would complete tasks as fast as possible. But it was too late, in the end, we were not able to complete one of the tasks.

Alcatraz is very different from the games we normally play. Usually we try to get the most points or take the other players out, but in Alcatraz, you can to choose which player is more beneficial to you and you can team up with that player. If you become “useless” to the group, you are given the opportunity to redeem yourself. By becoming the scapegoat, you are given extra action points which allows you to collect more items for the team.

Overall the game was very enjoyable. The randomization used in the game adds a lot of replayability. The scapegoat mechanic is also a nice catch up mechanic as you are able to travel the prison more quickly. The conversation in the game can also get interesting as players try to persuade the others that their plan is more viable or more beneficial.