Big Dig

About this board game

Big Dig is a 15-minute archaeological puzzle game for 2–4 players, released in 2019. Players take on the role of adventurous archaeologists competing to create the most efficient digging plans while searching for artifacts, treasure, and other goodies.

Each turn, draft a card from the center. The card shows the shape you must dig by crossing out squares on your personal dry-erase board. Your excavation must touch either the top of the digging area or a previously dug area, and certain spaces cannot be crossed.

Obstacles can change your plans. If stones are in the way, you may forgo regular digs to blow them up, choosing when to clear a path and when to continue excavating. The central cards keep the action moving: when they run out, everyone returns their cards and flips them over, making different digging shapes available.

At the start of each game, three random goals are dealt out. The first player to accomplish all three wins, giving every excavation a clear set of objectives alongside the challenge of planning efficient shapes.

• Draft cards that determine your digging shapes.
• Connect new digs to the top edge or existing excavation.
• Manage blocked areas and stones in your path.
• Complete all three randomly selected goals before your opponents.

Replayability comes from several changing elements. The player boards are double-sided, with everyone using the same side in a game, while the face-up side of the digging cards can vary from one play to the next. With varied goals and configurations, Big Dig offers a fresh excavation puzzle each time.