Monster Island (2002) Board Game

Monster Island is a board game released in 2002 that is designed for 2 players. The game is set on an island filled with giant monsters, inspired by classic monster movies and TV shows. Players take on the roles of these monsters and battle it out in a hexagon grid arena.

Game Components of Monster Island

Monsters: 15 full-color monsters on cardstock, usable as stand-up figures.

Rule Book: Includes rules, a 6-page section on “The World of Monster Island,” and a 3-page filmography.

Character Sheets: Single record sheets for monsters, with a list of possible combat actions, though some key information like initiative rolling and damage tracking is not included.

Terrain: Rules for various terrains such as flying, tunneling, leaping, swimming, and teleporting.

How To Setup Monster Island

To set up the game, players first need to choose their monsters and place them on the battle area. The battle area can be any flat surface, with terrain types and obstacles optionally included. Each player should have a character sheet for their monster, which lists the monster’s attributes and possible combat actions. Initiative is determined by rolling a die and adding the monster’s Mind attribute.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Initiative: Players roll for initiative using their monster’s Mind attribute plus a die roll.

Turn Structure: Players can either move and attack or move twice in their turn.

Combat Actions: Ranged attacks, hand-to-hand attacks (strike, grab, piledriver, ram, shove, throw, trip), and special powers like flying and teleporting.

Alliances: Monsters can form alliances through successful Mind rolls, but failing means they must attack each other.

Victory Conditions: Defeat other monsters; taking more damage than the monster’s Life attribute results in defeat.

Celebration Mechanic: A monster must spend its next turn celebrating after defeating another monster.

Player Experience

Playing **Monster Island** is a straightforward and enjoyable experience, particularly for fans of monster movies. The simple combat system makes the game easy to learn and quick to play, although it can become monotonous in one-on-one combat. The game shines with multiple players, introducing more complexity and dynamic interactions. The background and world-building sections add a rich layer of lore, enhancing the overall experience.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple combat mechanics.

Rich Lore: Detailed background and world-building.

Customizable: Various combat actions and special powers.

Multiplayer: More engaging with multiple players.

Value-Added Components: Colorful stand-up monster figures.

Cons

One-Sided Combat: One-on-one combat can be unbalanced.

Monotony: Simple mechanics can lead to repetitive gameplay.

Limited Charts: Lack of additional charts for initiative and damage tracking.

Personal Thoughts on Monster Island

**Monster Island** is ideal for fans of giant monster movies and those looking for a light, fun battle game. It’s perfect for casual gamers who want to dive into a simple yet engaging combat system. While it may not offer the complexity some gamers crave, it excels in its thematic execution and ease of play, making it a great addition to any collection focused on monster-themed entertainment.

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