Queendomino (2017) Board Game

Queendomino is a standalone sequel to the popular game Kingdomino, both designed by Bruno Cathala. It was released in 2017 by Blue Orange in Europe and has since gained a following for its engaging gameplay and strategic depth. The game transports players to a medieval fantasy world where they must build their own kingdoms to impress the queen.

Game Components of Queendomino

Terrain tiles representing various land types and towns

Building tiles with different costs and benefits

Knights and towers for taxation and scoring

Coins for purchasing buildings

The Queen figure for bonuses

A Dragon token for disrupting opponents

A Builders board for managing building purchases

Score pad for calculating final scores

How To Setup Queendomino

To set up Queendomino, players start by arranging the terrain tiles in numerical order. Each player chooses a starting tile and places their kingdom’s castle. The Builders board is set up with a random stack of Building tiles, each with its own cost and benefits. Players determine the starting player based on the numbered tiles.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Area Enclosure: Players build their kingdom by placing terrain tiles.

Card Drafting: Players select terrain tiles based on their pawn position.

Tile Placement: Tiles must be placed adjacent to matching land types or the castle.

Variable Phase Order: The tile selected determines the player’s draft order in the next round.

Economic Management: Players manage coins to purchase buildings.

Territory Scoring: Points are calculated by multiplying the number of squares in each territory by the number of crowns.

Building Bonuses: Buildings provide immediate benefits and end-game points.

Queen’s Visit: The player with the most towers gets a discount on building purchases and a scoring bonus.

Player Experience

Queendomino offers a mix of luck and strategy, making it enjoyable for both family and experienced gamers. Games are longer than Kingdomino due to the additional options and strategic decisions, such as whether to send out knights, buy buildings, or aim to attract the Queen. The game requires players to balance short-term benefits with long-term scoring strategies.

Pros

Increased Complexity: Offers more challenging gameplay compared to Kingdomino.

New Mechanics: Introduces towns, buildings, knights, and towers, adding depth to the game.

Flexibility: Can be played with 2-4 players traditionally or up to 8 players when combined with Kingdomino.

Replayability: High replay value due to random tile arrangements and building selections.

Family-Friendly: Still accessible to younger players while offering enough complexity for adults.

Cons

Additional Rules: More cumbersome rules compared to Kingdomino.

Complexity Overload: Some players might find the additional mechanics overwhelming.

Longer Gameplay: Games take longer due to the increased number of decisions.

Personal Thoughts on Queendomino

Queendomino is ideal for those who enjoyed Kingdomino but are looking for a more challenging and strategic experience. It is suited for families with older children and for gamers who appreciate a blend of luck and strategic planning. While it adds more complexity, the game remains engaging and rewarding, making it a great addition to any board game collection. However, those preferring a simpler, more elegant game might still opt for Kingdomino.

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