Palm Island (2018) Board Game

Palm Island is a unique card game released in 2018 by designer Jon Mietling and published by Portal Dragon. The game is designed to be played solo or with a partner, and it has a quick runtime of around 15 minutes. With its innovative mechanics and engaging gameplay, Palm Island has gained a following among gamers looking for a portable and strategic experience.

Game Components of Palm Island

17 plastic cards per player (two sets included for two-player variants)

A magnetic clasp box or a 2-piece cardboard box

A faux-leather wallet

Feat cards, co-op cards, competitive cards, and a reference card

A rulebook.

How To Setup Palm Island

To set up the game, shuffle the deck of 17 cards and place the round marker card at the back. Hold the assembled deck in one hand, ensuring the cards are oriented correctly using the marks in the corners. The game is ready to be played without the need for a table.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Resource Management: Players manage resources (fish, logs, stone) represented by symbols on the cards.

Engine Building: Upgrade buildings by rotating or flipping cards, each having four states (two sides, each with a top and bottom half).

Deck Manipulation: Cards are rotated or flipped to bank resources or upgrade buildings.

Objective: Score the highest number of victory points by upgrading buildings over eight rounds.

Player Experience

Palm Island offers a quick and engaging experience, with each game lasting about 10 minutes. The game is easy to learn but challenging to master, particularly in managing resources and planning upgrades. Initially, the game may feel random due to the card shuffle, but as players gain experience, they can influence the card order to their advantage. The game’s portability is a significant plus, allowing play anywhere, anytime.

Pros

High Portability: The game can be played in the palm of your hand, making it ideal for travel.

Quick Playtime: Games last about 10 minutes.

Engaging Mechanics: Easy to learn but challenging to master.

Variants and Alternate Play Modes: Includes competitive and cooperative variants.

Cons

Slippery Cards: The plastic coating on the cards can make them difficult to handle.

Limited Depth: After several plays, players may have seen most of what the game has to offer.

Personal Thoughts on Palm Island

Palm Island is perfect for those looking for a compact, portable game that offers a satisfying solo experience. It is ideal for travelers, commuters, or anyone who wants a quick and engaging game to pass the time. Despite its simplicity, the game requires strategic thinking and resource management, making it appealing to fans of engine-building and resource management games.

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