Based on a tabletop game of the same name, Beacon Patrol brings the experience into the digital realm. Is it worth exploring the ocean and picking up a copy for yourself? Let’s find out!
What is Beacon Patrol?
A tile laying game which initially seems to be a whimsical, exploration-based take on the perennially popular Carcassonne, in reality Beacon Patrol is a very different experience to Klaus-Jürgen Wrede’s classic title. Playing solo or co-operatively, in Beacon Patrol players will build outwards from the HQ tile, using one of three tiles they have in their hand to do so.
The biggest twist to the Carcassonne formula is that you’ll be moving your ship onto each tile you add to the map, which adds further complications, in that you can only build if you can actually move from the tile you’re on into the new one (which boils down to not being able to move across land; you’re in a ship after all), and tiles can’t be rotated. Each player has a limited amount of movement each turn, though you can discard one of your tiles to get extra movement.
Points are scored by fully exploring a tile; that is, if a tile has connecting tiles on each of its four orthogonal sides (that means diagonally connected tiles don’t count), it’s scored. Points vary depending on the type of tile that ends up being fully explored; a standard tile is worth 1 victory point, tiles with buoys are worth 2 points and any with lighthouses, or the HQ itself, are worth 3 victory points. As you progress and unlock content, there will be many more ways to score.
Once the tile supply is exhausted, points are scored. In the digital version of the game, and depending on the mode you play, you’ll generally be playing solo, and aiming for different targets; points aren’t the only thing on the table, to so speak, as you might need to explore a certain number of buoy tiles, or lighthouses, for example, in order to unlock the next set of content.
Is Beacon Patrol Fun To Play?
The digital version of Beacon Patrol adds some twists to the tabletop formula, in that you have a more relaxed Creative Mode, in which you can simply explore for as long as you want, continually drawing tiles, or the more challenging Exploration Mode, in which you gain extra tiles the more you explore. It’s possible to play with other players, but I don’t think it’s unfair to say that it’s more likely players will tackle one or more of the modes solo. The tabletop game is included as the Board Game Mode here too, if players simply want to replicate that experience. The latter includes the Ships & Shores expansion.
I did find that the main Exploration Mode, which is likely intended as the main way to play the digital version of the game, begins in a way which is incredibly frustrating. It’s definitely not the best way to introduce yourself to Beacon Patrol, which sells itself as a cozy and relaxing experience. When you begin Exploration Mode, your tile selection is limited, and with the restriction of only being able to move your ship into a space which it can cross water to enter, you’ll end up having more tiles you cannot use, more often than not. It becomes incredibly frustrating very quickly, and the fun is drained from the experience as a result. Far from relaxing, it just feels punishing for no reason whatsoever.
However, if you do persevere and reach different goals, you’ll unlock plenty of extra tiles soon enough. It might not be fun actually getting to that point, but once you do, the gameplay opportunities open up immensely, and it does become a much more enjoyable experience.
Perhaps it’s just me, but I also find it more enjoyable to play Beacon Patrol alone than co-operatively, especially in the Board Game Mode. As all players are using the same shared deck of tiles to draw from, when playing alongside other players you’ll have far less turns, and even though the option to swap a tile with another player becomes available to you, it’s simply better to build and explore your own way through the oceanic tiles.
Despite the shaky start of Exploration Mode, I did have fun playing Beacon Patrol. However, it still feels as if it can be dictated too much by the luck of the draw, especially given how inflexible the tiles are in terms of not being able to rotate them, not to mention the limited movement of your ship once you start to build a larger map. It’s certainly an aesthetically pleasing game, with lovely audio design, but Beacon Patrol is not always as chilled out or peaceful an experience as it wants to be.
The Card Gamer Verdict
A tile-laying game with charming audio and whimsical, clean visual design, Beacon Patrol has already been warmly received as a tabletop experience.
The digital version features numerous modes and unlockable content, which gives it a bit more focus than the physical game. If you enjoyed the tabletop experience, you’ll find a lot to like in the digital adaptation.
However, though Beacon Patrol is an enjoyable game, it’s very luck-dependent and can be exasperating, especially at the outset. Give it a chance and it may charm you, but its inflexibility can still prove frustrating at times.
Beacon Patrol is available on Steam, with release set for the 17th of September, 2025:
Check out our reviews of other digital titles, such as Into the Restless Ruins and Birdigo.
