Mandala Stones (2021) Board Game

Mandala Stones is a beautifully designed abstract strategy game released in 2021 by Board&Dice. It was designed by Filip Głowacz and features stunning artwork by Zbigniew Umgelter. The game is suitable for 2-4 players, with a runtime of around 30 minutes and recommended for ages 10 and up. With its unique gameplay mechanics and captivating visuals, Mandala Stones has quickly gained popularity among board game enthusiasts.

Game Components of Mandala Stones

96 colorful, thick plastic stones

4 artist pawns

Main board

Mandala board

4 flimsy player boards

Objective cards

Scoring tokens

How To Setup Mandala Stones

To set up Mandala Stones, start by placing the main board in the center and the Mandala board beside it. Each player receives a player board and two objective cards for personal scoring. Stack 4 stones on each available mandala spot on the main board, and place the four main artists on their respective art spots. This setup can be somewhat fiddly, especially when stacking the stones into piles without knocking them over.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Turn: Choose to either “Pick” or “Score”. If you have no empty spaces, you must score.

Pick: Move an artist to a new spot and take the top stones from a stack that match the artist’s pattern and are not adjacent to other artists. These stones are stacked on your player board.

Score: Score points based on the colors of the top stones on your stacks. You can score the top stone of each stack for one point each or score a full tower for more points.

Scoring: Score points by matching colors on the top of your stacks. Removed stones are added to the Mandala board, and covering victory point spots earns immediate points.

Game End: The game ends when a player covers the last spot on the Mandala board or cannot score or pick on their turn. Players then score their objective cards, and the player with the most victory points wins.

Player Experience

Playing Mandala Stones is a visually pleasing experience, with the colorful stones and mandala patterns creating a beautiful tabletop setup. The game is easy to learn but offers thoughtful choices that require planning ahead. It scales well for 2-4 players, though the increasing player count introduces more complexity and variability in the board state. Games typically last between 30-45 minutes, making it a good fit for both casual and seasoned gamers.

Pros

Visual Appeal: The game components, especially the stones, are highly colorful and appealing.

Easy to Learn: Simple rules with a “Pick or Score” mechanic make it easy for new players to join.

Challenging but Not Overwhelming: Offers a good balance between simplicity and strategic depth.

Good for Various Player Counts: Works well with 2, 3, or 4 players without significant changes in difficulty.

Cons

Fiddly Setup: Stacking the stones can be tricky and time-consuming.

Flimsy Player Boards: The player boards are thin and could be improved.

Complexity in Picking Stones: The rules for picking stones can be a bit confusing, especially with the clockwise order requirement.

Personal Thoughts on Mandala Stones

Mandala Stones is ideal for fans of abstract games who appreciate a mix of beauty and strategy. It is suitable for average-level players and seasoned gamers alike, offering a nice balance between ease of learning and depth of gameplay. While it is not as relaxing as its aesthetic might suggest, it is less stressful than more complex games like Azul or Five Tribes, making it a great addition to any board game collection.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.