Set Sail and Chart the Coastline: The Digital Board Game ‘Beacon Patrol’ is Out Now

The acclaimed cooperative board game, Beacon Patrol, has officially made its way to the digital world. Publisher Assemble Entertainment and developers Shapes and Dreams and BrutalHack have announced that the game is now available on PC via Steam, allowing players to set sail and chart the North Sea coastline. This digital adaptation brings the cozy and relaxing experience of the tabletop game to a new platform, complete with new modes, features, and the ability to play with friends both locally and online.

For those unfamiliar with the tabletop version, Beacon Patrol is a tile-placement game where you and your friends take on the role of Coast Guard captains. Your mission is to explore the North Sea to ensure its lighthouses, beacon buoys, and waterways are safe. The core gameplay loop is simple yet strategic: each turn, you place a tile adjacent to your ship’s current location, building a shared map of the sea one piece at a time. The goal is to create the most complete map possible by fully exploring tiles—a tile is considered explored when it is connected to four other tiles on all sides. The game is a test of cooperation, as you must work together to create a cohesive map and maximize your collective score.

A Digital Makeover with New Modes

The digital adaptation of Beacon Patrol is more than just a simple port. It includes a variety of new features and game modes that are exclusive to the PC version. The base game includes a faithful adaptation of the original board game, complete with the Ships & Shores expansion. This is a huge win for fans of the tabletop version, as it gives them a complete and polished experience right from the start. However, the game also includes two new modes that are designed to take advantage of the digital medium:

• Exploration Mode: This new mode offers a high-risk, high-reward challenge. Players can play as long as they can keep scoring points, and with each successful “run,” they can unlock new ships and tiles, adding a roguelite-style progression to the game.
• Creative Mode: For players who just want to relax and build, this mode offers unlimited tiles and movement, allowing you to create the most beautiful and sprawling coastline maps you can imagine. This is a fantastic addition for those who love the game’s aesthetic but want a more zen experience.

The game also features a variety of unlockable ships, each with their own unique abilities, as well as charming seagull companions. The art style is clean, colorful, and irresistibly charming, making it a perfect fit for a cozy and relaxing game session. The game is a perfect fit for both solo players and co-op enthusiasts, as it offers a variety of ways to play, including local multiplayer and online co-op via Steam Remote Play Together.

The launch of Beacon Patrol is a welcome addition to the growing list of digital board game adaptations. It’s a game that is easy to learn but offers a surprising amount of strategic depth, and its relaxing atmosphere and beautiful art make it a must-have for fans of cozy games and cooperative adventures. The North Sea is waiting, and a new adventure is just a few clicks away.

Key Features of Beacon Patrol:

• Genre: Cooperative Tile-Placement, Strategy, Casual
• Platforms: PC (Steam)
• Gameplay: Place tiles to build a map of the sea, score points by fully exploring tiles.
• New Modes: Exploration Mode and Creative Mode are exclusive to the digital version.
• Features: Solo play, local multiplayer, and online co-op via Steam Remote Play Together.

So, grab your captain’s hat, grab your telescope, and get ready to set sail. The North Sea is waiting, and it’s up to you to chart a new path and create the most beautiful map of the sea.