Underhaven How To Play

About Underhaven, from BoardGameGeek:

The surface world, once a vibrant cradle of civilization, has become a relentless, uninhabitable wasteland. Decades of unmitigated global warming have culminated in a terrifying cascade of ecological disasters. Escalating severe weather-hypercanes, perpetual dust storms, and flash-flooding of biblical proportions-has made life above ground a fragile, momentary existence. With long-distance, interstellar space travel still a distant, theoretical possibility, humanity has been forced to confront the only viable solution for survival: an ambitious, monumental endeavor to burrow deep beneath the Earth's surface. The entire colossal undertaking is orchestrated and overseen by a singular, monolithic global entity known simply as The Corp. This organization holds absolute authority, acting as the ultimate governing body for the next era of human civilization. The Corp has chosen four highly-skilled leaders for the immediate mission to explore, excavate, and rapidly establish new, self-sufficient underground societies. It is the ultimate trial. The victor will not be determined by size or speed alone, but by the metric The Corp values most: Reputation. The prize is not merely the greatest distinction; it is the apex of power and influence in the new era. The corporation that successfully earns the highest reputation will inherit the Earth's future. The stakes could not be higher: the survival and legacy of humanity rest on the success of this underground trial. Game Type: Worker placement and engine-building game for 2-4 players, ages 14 & up. Setting: Near-future Earth, deep beneath the surface. The Premise: In a bid to safeguard humanity from the harsh surface environment, specialized corporations, controlled by the players, are utilizing advanced technology to drill deep into the Earth's core. Your task as a Corporate Leader is to establish and manage a thriving subterranean society. Dig underground, find suitable terrain to build up your ideal society based on your strengths & unique abilities. Players must secure the favor of The Corp by diligently completing assigned tasks and delivering necessary goods and resources. The Corp's valuable perspective is crucial for the society's success. Failure to meet The Corp's demands will result in irreparable damage to the player's reputation. Core Gameplay & Objectives: Corporate Specialization: Each corporation possesses unique expertise in certain environments, as well as unique abilities. Partial collaboration is essential; you may need to hire the specialized skills of rival teams to successfully build some buildings. Resource Management: You must efficiently manage your resources to fund your workforce, keep them fed, and maintain high morale to build the most successful society. Executing Orders: Each turn, The Corp issues a set of orders for you to select from, often accompanied by small bonuses. Success depends on your ability to strategically prioritize these tasks within your managing console. The Corp Relationship: Occasionally, you'll need to "send gifts" to The Corp. Some call them bribes, but we prefer to view it as a demonstration of your exemplary leadership, designed to gain extra resources or boost your reputation. Hidden Agenda & Victory: The Corp has given each team some secret, specific objectives to complete. In the end, only one corporation will emerge victorious, earning the exclusive rights to all future subterranean development. Will your leadership prevail? -description from the designer