Small Islands (2018) Board Game

Small Islands is a board game released in 2018, designed by Aurélie Guarino. It falls under the categories of exploration, nautical, and territory building, with gameplay consisting of push your luck, solo/solitaire game, and tile placement mechanics. The game is suitable for 1 to 4 players, with a runtime of around 30 minutes and an age recommendation of 8 and above.

Game Components of Small Islands

Game board

Island tiles

Ship tokens

Resource tokens

Objective cards

Player aid cards

How To Setup Small Islands

Place the game board in the center of the table.

Shuffle the island tiles and place them face down.

Each player chooses a color and takes the corresponding ship tokens and player aid cards.

Draw objective cards based on the number of players.

Begin the game!

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Players take turns exploring and colonizing islands, gathering resources, and completing objectives to earn points. The game ends when all objectives are completed, and the player with the most points wins.

Player Experience

Pros:

Quick gameplay

Easy to learn rules

Solo/solitaire mode available

Strategic decision-making

Cons:

Limited player interaction

Some luck involved in drawing tiles

Personal Thoughts on Small Islands

Small Islands offers a fun and engaging experience for players looking for a light strategy game. The build quality is decent, and the artwork by MushrooM Games adds to the overall aesthetic appeal. The game falls into a niche category and may not appeal to every player, but for those interested in exploration and territory building games, it is worth checking out. Pricing and availability for both new and used copies vary, so it’s recommended to shop around for the best deal. Alternatives and similar games include Isle of Skye and Catan: Seafarers, which offer similar gameplay experiences. Overall, Small Islands is a game worth your time if you enjoy the genre, but may not be suitable for those seeking a highly competitive or interactive gaming experience.

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