{"title":"Expansions","description":"\u003cp\u003eExpansions extend the life of games already on your shelf by adding new mechanics, scenarios, or strategic layers. \u003cstrong\u003eShackleton Base: Below. Within. Above.\u003c\/strong\u003e deepens the original's narrative arc with three fresh modules, while \u003cstrong\u003eCaptain Flip: Isla Bomba\u003c\/strong\u003e introduces tile-flipping twists to the base game's treasure-hunting theme. \u003cem\u003eLeaders: The Vermillion Emperor\u003c\/em\u003e brings a new faction and asymmetric powers, and \u003cem\u003eCourtisans: Diplomats and Confidants\u003c\/em\u003e injects political intrigue into court-building gameplay.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese modules work best when you've already played—and enjoyed—the core game enough to crave variety. They're ideal for dedicated fans who want more depth without learning an entirely new ruleset, typically adding 15–30 minutes to play time and suiting groups who've exhausted the base box's replay value.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"captain-flip-isla-bomba","title":"Captain Flip: Isla Bomba","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCaptain Flip: Isla Bomba\u003c\/strong\u003e expands the tile-flipping adventure with new maps and volatile island terrain. Designer Remo Conzadori introduces push-your-luck mechanics where each placement could trigger explosive consequences across your grid. Advantage tokens reward daring decisions, but one wrong flip might undo your progress.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGames run 25–30 minutes with 2–5 players aged 8 and up. The expansion layers grid coverage challenges onto the base game's tile placement, creating tense moments as you balance risk against end-game bonuses. Multiple map configurations keep each session unpredictable—one layout might favour cautious builders, another rewards gamblers willing to dance around danger zones.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe lightweight complexity (1.0 weight) keeps turns quick while tactical choices deepen. Jonathan Aucomte's art brings the perilous island to vivid life, making every tile flip a small drama. With an 8.0 BGG rating, this 2026 release proves that simple mechanisms can generate memorable tension when stakes escalate with every decision.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"PlayPunk","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58371895787904,"sku":"5430003838358","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1003\/9505\/7536\/files\/PP-CF03_CaptainFlip_IslaBomba_9c512dc9-c909-41e1-baf2-1ea975acae43.png?v=1783633217"},{"product_id":"shackleton-base-below-within-above","title":"Shackleton Base: Below. Within. Above.","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShackleton Base: Below. Within. Above.\u003c\/strong\u003e expands Fabio Lopiano's Antarctic survival system with new worker placement depths and strategic layers. This heavyweight expansion adds 60–120 minutes of decision-dense gameplay, demanding careful resource routing and long-term planning across three dimensional tiers of the base.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe variable set-up ensures each session presents fresh tactical puzzles for 1–4 players. Worker placement mechanics interlock with the base game's systems, creating branching paths through research, construction, and survival challenges. At complexity 4.0, this expansion rewards players who enjoy intricate spatial reasoning and economic optimization.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDavid Sitbon's artwork reinforces the cold isolation theme while maintaining visual clarity across the expanded board state. The solo mode scales the challenge appropriately, while multiplayer sessions intensify the competition for crucial placement spots. Players aged 14 and up will find substantial replayability through the combination of modular setup options and emergent strategic interactions.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sorry We Are French","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58372068213120,"sku":"3616450009554","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1003\/9505\/7536\/files\/SWBEL_ShackletonBase_Below.Within.Above_69622ef6-50c6-48de-a070-c26743d8a1b5.png?v=1783638306"},{"product_id":"courtisans-diplomats-and-confidants","title":"Courtisans: Diplomats and Confidants","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cstrong\u003eCourtisans: Diplomats and Confidants\u003c\/strong\u003e, designed by Romaric Galonnier, players navigate the intricate politics of Renaissance courts through negotiation and hidden agendas. This expansion introduces new roles and powers that deepen the interplay of influence and deception established in the base game.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOver 30 to 45 minutes, three to five players adopt secret identities, forming temporary alliances and competing for control over key areas of the court. Each turn presents opportunities to broker deals, leverage information, and shift loyalties—mechanics that reward both psychological reading and tactical hand management. The medium-weight complexity (2.1) makes it approachable for players aged 10 and up while offering enough strategic depth to keep seasoned gamers engaged.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePublished by Catch Up Games in 2023, this expansion builds on variable player powers and area majority scoring. Mihajlo Dimitrievski's artwork reinforces the period atmosphere without overwhelming the functional clarity needed for quick negotiations. The result is a compact experience where every conversation matters and allegiances remain uncertain until the final reveal.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Catch Up Games","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58386482626944,"sku":null,"price":5.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1003\/9505\/7536\/files\/COUREXP1-CS_Courtisans_DiplomatsandConfidants_Caseof12.png?v=1783177795"},{"product_id":"leaders-the-vermillion-emperor","title":"Leaders: The Vermillion Emperor","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLeaders: The Vermillion Emperor\u003c\/strong\u003e adds new legendary leaders to your civilisation-building games. Designed by Matías Cazorla and released in 2016, this expansion introduces fresh strategic paths through card drafting and hand management. Each leader offers unique abilities that shape your engine, rewarding players who spot synergies and build efficient combos.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGameplay revolves around drafting leaders from a shared pool, then leveraging their variable powers to outpace opponents. The engine-building core means early decisions compound over time — choosing complementary leaders creates momentum that carries you toward victory. With a complexity weight of 2.3, it sits comfortably in the medium-light range, accessible enough for ages 10 and up while offering strategic depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSessions run 30 to 45 minutes across 2 to 6 players, making it flexible for different group sizes. The card-driven mechanics keep downtime low, and the variety of leaders ensures each game unfolds differently. Pedro Soto's art brings historical and mythical figures to life, grounding the abstract strategy in vivid character designs.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhether you're bolstering your base game or seeking modular variety, this expansion delivers replayability without adding lengthy rules overhead. The BGG community rates it 7.3, reflecting its solid design and lasting appeal among fans of civilisation and card-combo games.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Studio H","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58386548359552,"sku":"3616450012905","price":12.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1003\/9505\/7536\/files\/SHLEXP1_Leaders_TheVermillionEmperor.png?v=1783178236"}],"url":"https:\/\/mpgames.io\/collections\/expansions.oembed","provider":"MPGames","version":"1.0","type":"link"}