Kingdomino Review: A 15-Minute Game of the Year, a German Game of the Year Award Winner
Kingdomino is an innovative board game that combines the elements of dominoes with the fun of kingdom building.
Read on to find out why it will have the whole family hooked in just 15 minutes and find out more about the captivating gameplay that won the German Game of the Year award in 2017.
We will introduce the full details of one of the most popular family games in the modern board game world, which can be enjoyed by a wide range of people from beginners to experienced players.
Game Basics
Kingdomino is a simple tile-placement game in which players select domino tiles to build a kingdom.
Kingdomino is a tile-placement game for 2-4 players, 15-25 minutes playing time, and recommended for ages 8 and up .
The game was designed by Bruno Cathala, illustrated by Cyril Bouquet, and published by Blue Orange Games.
The core mechanic of the game is simple: draft (select) domino tiles to build a 5x5 kingdom .
Each round, players select a colored tile and add it to their existing territory using simple tile-placing mechanics.
Scores are calculated by multiplying the size of each area by the number of crown symbols present.
The flow of moves is surprisingly clear.
Each round, two sets of kingdom tiles are dealt, and players' turn order is determined based on the position of their previous selection.
The tile with the lower number always goes first.
The key is the delicate balancing system, where the more powerful tiles you choose, the slower your next turn will be .
The appeal of Kingdomino: strategy and fun packed into a short time
Kingdomino is a masterpiece that perfectly condenses strategy and fun into a short 15-minute game.
1. The ingenious dilemma of "strong tiles = delayed next turn"
The choice is clear, just like the domino-style tiles you choose: choosing a high-value tile means you'll be last to choose next turn, and choosing a low-value tile means you'll go first.
This system forces players to constantly make strategic decisions: "Take it now or take it later."
In actual gameplay, moments of anxiety (when a crucial tile might be taken by another player) alternate with moments of joy (when it isn't).
This sense of tension is perhaps the greatest appeal of Kingdomino.
2. The perfect game time of 15 minutes
Kingdomino is a light game that can truly be completed in 15-20 minutes unless you have players who take forever to make decisions.
The rules are so simple that even a three-year-old can understand them, and can be explained in three minutes.
The description of the game as "like potato chips" is apt, and once you play it you'll definitely be asking for another one.
Although it's a short game, it's very satisfying, and it naturally encourages continuous play.
3. Beautiful artwork and high-quality components
Blue Orange Games has done a great job with this small, inexpensive game.
Each kingdom tile is beautifully illustrated as a bird's-eye view of the kingdom, and many tiles include small extra illustrations that keep the artwork compelling.
The small details in the illustrations by Cyril Bouquet are truly wonderful, with fun details scattered throughout that differentiate between various tiles of the same type and add flavor to an almost abstract game.
Can you find the sea monster?
4. Balance between strategy and luck
A big part of the strategy in Kingdomino is having the flexibility to place pieces while maximizing scoring opportunities.
Some areas are more abundant than others, and rarer areas have more crowns, so it's balanced out.
However, you cannot win by simply hate drafting (interfering with other players).
Creating a perfect 5x5 kingdom with a castle in the center will give you a 15 point bonus, making this an important factor worth 30-50% of your total score.
Concerns and solutions
While Kingdomino has many great points, it also has some issues that are of concern.
1. Problems with three-player games
The weakness of Kingdomino is that it is a three-player game.
It works great for two and four players, but for three players, you need to remove a certain amount of tiles at the start of the game.
This can mean that the terrain feature you are building on may never appear again.
Countermeasure: In a three-player game, this is useful to prevent one player from monopolizing all the crowns in a region.
This is because it can often be fatal for one player to collect all the crowns in one region.
2. Limited direct interaction between players
The only interaction is fighting over tiles, so it's relatively light.
Players looking for more interaction may find it lacking.
Solution: The Age of Giants expansion adds more player interaction.
The expansion is available for both the base game and Queendomino, making it easy for fans to adopt.
3. The impact of uneven tile luck
The element of luck can sometimes make a big difference.
Solution: For two players, the recommended 7x7 grid variant rules offer more tactical flexibility.
Optional rules can also be used to add complexity and variety.
Recommended for these people and occasions
Kingdomino is a versatile family game that can be enjoyed by a wide range of people.
Perfect for beginners to family games
This game is perfect for families and non-gamers alike.
Even at game nights at the local library or other venues with a lot of non-gamers, they understand it within a few turns and always want to play a second time.
Specifically recommended for:
- Families with children ages 8 and up : Even my 3-year-old daughter knows how to play and is interested in choosing dominoes with fun features rather than scoring points.
- Board Game Beginner Group : You can introduce it to friends who have barely touched the surface of modern board games.
- Experienced Gamers : Works for a wide range of experience levels and ages, making it an excellent filler game between heavy gaming sessions.
Recommended play scenes
PLAY IN A CAFE OR ON THE GO: Kingdominos is a tiny game, measuring 8 inches square and 2 inches high, but it packs a huge amount of fun into this tiny box.
It is highly portable and can be enjoyed easily anywhere.
Game Night Opener: This is a game that's always in the bag of games I bring to game night.
What you can expect: A great, addictive game that's a perfect introduction to the hobby and enjoyable even for experienced gamers.
Recommended for:
If you enjoy tile-placement games or are looking for an easy-to-play board game, this is definitely worth considering.
The game is designed to be enjoyed by people of all ages.
Kingdomino has a lot to offer: all-ages content, a portable size, solid components, and engaging gameplay.
Kingdomino is a masterpiece of a modern family game, combining simplicity with deep strategic depth.
It's this brilliance in its wonderful simplicity that makes it so addictive.
If you're looking for a fast, replayable gaming experience that the whole family will enjoy, Kingdominos is the perfect choice.
Check the product on the online store page
Free shipping throughout Japan. Orders placed before 3pm will be shipped the same day.
Reference source/quote source
- Board Game Quest - Kingdomino Review
- GeekDad - Build the Best 'Kingdomino'
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- The Opinionated Gamers - Kingdomino Game Review
- There Will Be Games - Kingdomino Board Game Review
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- Geeks Under Grace - Review: Kingdomino
- BoardGameGeek - Kingdomino