1001 Islands (2022) Board Game

1001 Islands is a board game released in 2022 by Ludonaute. Designed by Antoine Bauza and Bruno Cathala, this game takes players on an adventurous journey through Arabian islands filled with treasure and mystery. The game features stunning artwork by Marie Cardouat, bringing the world of 1001 Islands to life.

Game Components of 1001 Islands

Tiles: Four different types, each with various images such as eggs, rocs, palm trees, bandits, gems, and magic lamps.

Player Boards: Each player has a 4×3 grid to build their tableau.

Scoring Tiles: Revealed during the game to provide specific scoring criteria.

How To Setup 1001 Islands

To set up the game, players start with an empty playing board. The tiles are separated by type into face-down stacks. Each player’s tableau is a 4×3 grid, and the artwork on the tiles helps determine which row each tile belongs in.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Tile Drafting: Players draw tiles from a chosen stack, select one to keep, and nominate the next player.

Tableau Building: Players build their 4×3 grid by placing tiles orthogonally adjacent to already placed tiles or the player’s board.

Scoring: Points come from palm trees (1 point each), combinations of a roc and an egg (7 points), scoring tiles, and penalties for bandits (1 point deduction per bandit).

Magic Lamps: When a player adds a third tile featuring a magic lamp, they must flip previous lamp tiles, altering their scoring.

Player Experience

In **1001 Islands**, the game starts with straightforward tile drafting, but it quickly becomes strategic as scoring tiles are revealed. Players must balance helping themselves with hindering their opponents, a mechanic known as spite drafting. The active player’s choices significantly impact the game, especially in determining who goes first in the next round.

Pros

Simple to Teach: The game is easy to learn, with the hardest concepts being tile positioning and magic lamp rules.

Strategic Depth: The game becomes highly strategic as scoring tiles are revealed, allowing for calculated moves.

Interactive: Spite drafting adds a fun and interactive element, making players think about their opponents’ moves.

Cons

Lack of Theme: The game lacks a strong thematic element, which might make it less engaging for some players.

Optimal Player Count: The game is best with two or three players; with four players, the strategic depth is reduced.

Personal Thoughts on 1001 Islands

**1001 Islands** is ideal for those who enjoy strategic tile-laying games with a social interaction twist. It is particularly recommended for two or three players, as this player count enhances the game’s strategic and interactive elements. If you can overlook the absence of a strong theme, **1001 Islands** offers a clever and engaging gaming experience.

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