Diamant Review – Thrilling Adventures with Every Draw

The first thing you need to know is that Diamant and Incan Gold are essentially the same game, just different names. The second thing you need to know is that this game is fast, frantic, and fun.

In Incan Gold, you take on the role of an Indiana Jones type where you (and everyone else) explore ancient ruins filled with gold, jewels, and, of course, traps! Each round a new card is added to the ruins, representing your adventuring crew going deeper and deeper into unknown territory.

It’s a game where everyone plays together and there’s only one decision involved: do I retreat with everything we’ve earned so far, or continue on for greater rewards?

You make this decision in secret, and simultaneously with everyone else. Those who retreat split all the rewards uncovered so far evenly – with any leftover remaining on the cards. Otherwise, those who continue, flip over the next card from the deck showing what they find.

For the most part, this will be more riches. However, there are also several different threats including snakes, boulders, and voodoo ladies. If two cards of the same type of threat are drawn, then everyone still in the ruins runs away.

Leaving all the remaining treasure behind.

Sprinting towards the treasure

Incan Gold is the prisoner’s dilemma gamified. During each turn, you’re always looking at the rewards already on the board and wondering what other people are thinking. Because if you retreat and they don’t, then all the juicy rewards are yours. However, if even one other person retreats, then your rewards are halved. So maybe it’s better to continue exploring…

Although, it’s impossible to know what card comes next. So instead you must rely on your gut, your greed and your emotions to carry you to victory.

In a way, it is like a game of Black Jack where you’re constantly chasing the next card draw. Except in Incan Gold, you’re not playing against the dealer but the other players. Given that when they pull out impacts your take-home rewards as well, means you have to play around them as much as the ruins themselves.

This push-your-luck game of chicken is intoxicating, and with everyone on the same wavelength, you careen through games of Incan Gold. To the point where any slowdown becomes a point of frustration.

Currently, there are two versions of this game on the market, Diamant from IELLO, and Incan Gold from Gryphon Games. At different points, I’ve owned both versions. Diamant looks amazing, but it’s also overproduced – and some additions impact the speed at which you can play the game, leading to frustration.

However, no matter which version you get, this is a simple, fun and frantic game, that all will enjoy.