Sea of Clouds

Today's game review is of the 2016 release, Sea of Clouds.  For 2-4 players, it plays in 45 minutes.

Overview
You are a pirate of the sky, aiming to rule the sea of clouds.  To do so, you'll need to collect rum, relics and objects, obtain the most doubloons, and assemble a formidable crew to fight your opponents.  There's much loot to go around, so you have to choose your haul wisely.  Are you up to the challenge?

Simplified Gameplay
The game is played in rounds.  In a round, each player takes a turn gathering loot (located in 3 piles below the main game board).  Once each player has gone, the next round begins.  Some rounds will feature boarding actions (explained below).

On your turn, you look at the first pile of loot.  If you want it, keep it, and replenish that pile (with the top card of the draw deck).  If you don't want it, put it back and add the top card from the draw deck (or, if there are already 3 cards, add 1 doubloon), and look at the next pile.  Continue the same routine through 3 piles.  If you don't want the third, draw the top card of the draw deck.

Whatever card(s) you end up with, you must play them, placing them on the appropriate spot around your game board.  This is a set collection game, so generally you'll want to collect piles of loot with cards that synergize well with your existing haul.

If you're in a round with a boarding action, you compare your crew's strength to those immediately adjacent to you on the right and left, and you may gain (or lose) doubloons (or other things) based on that result.

At the end of the final round, each player's score is tallied based on their cards and doubloons.

game in progress; image from here

The rule book is available here.

Review
This game is okay, but left me wanting more.  This game seems to be a combination of 7 Wonders, Biblios, and Archaeology: the New Expedition.  As I'd rather play any of those games than this, I suggest looking elsewhere.

Rating: B-