If you enjoy family games with a touch of light strategy and charming art, 1001 Islands will win you over quickly! It's easy to learn, fast to play, and offers the satisfaction of watching your island grow.
- Visually appealing island building
- Engaging draft mechanic
- Easy to learn and play
- Quick and dynamic gameplay
- Scoring can be tricky initially
- Some dreams are hard to fulfill
- Theme might feel a bit generic
About the game
What you do in a play session
Each round features an open drafting dynamic. You draw a number of tiles equal to the number of players, choose one to add to your island or your dreams, and pass the remaining ones to an opponent of your choice. The last player to receive tiles, while having no choice, gets the honor (and responsibility) of starting the next round. The final scoring heavily relies on how you manage your dreams: a 'Fennec Fox Dream' tile is only worthwhile if you have foxes on your island! Conversely, palm trees and the pairing of a Rukh bird with its egg guarantee points. Beware of bandits, as too many can cost you dearly! And if luck (or misfortune) grants you a third Magic Lamp, prepare to flip tiles and lose precious points.
With accessible rules and quick gameplay, 1001 Islands is a great choice for families and players seeking a light experience with interesting tactical decisions. It's a game that rewards planning and adaptation, where draft luck meets building strategy.
Gallery
Box and component photos
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Best player count
BGG community vote
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
Where to Buy
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Price history — last 6 months (lowest new offer)
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
What is the average playtime for 1001 Islands?
Is 1001 Islands really a children's game?
How does scoring work at the end of the game?
What happens if I get the third Magic Lamp?
Do I need to know how to read to play?
Is this a competitive or cooperative game?
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