The Isle of Cats

The City of Games, Arclight Games, GaGa Games · Board game · 2019
1–4 · best 3 Solo 60–90 min Weight 2.4/5
8.3 rating Ludopedia
7.6 rating BGG
8.3 rating Ludopedia
7.6 rating BGG
Our Verdict

If you're looking for a charming puzzle with strategic depth and adorable felines, The Isle of Cats offers a delightful blend of card drafting and polyomino placement that will keep you purring with satisfaction. It's a fantastic choice for those who enjoy optimizing their board and discovering unique scoring opportunities.

Highlights
  • Engaging polyomino puzzle with cute cats
  • Deep strategic scoring via unique lessons
  • Excellent blend of card drafting and placement
  • High replayability with varied objectives
Keep in mind
  • Can feel overwhelming with many options
  • Theme might not appeal to everyone
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Learn How to Play Step by Step Check out our complete step-by-step rules guide.
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About the game
Get ready for a nautical adventure in 'The Isle of Cats', a competitive, medium-weight game that blends card drafting with polyomino cat placement! You and your friends are citizens of Squall's End, embarking on an urgent rescue mission to save as many adorable felines as possible from The Isle of Cats before the dreaded Lord Vesh arrives to wreak havoc. Each kitty is represented by a unique tile and belongs to a family, and your challenge is to fit them all onto your boat, keeping families together for extra points. But that's not all! You'll need to manage your resources wisely as you explore the island, rescue cute cats, discover hidden treasures, and study ancient lessons. Each of the 38 unique lessons you collect offers a new personal way to score points, adding a deep strategic layer to the game. Complete these lessons, fill your boat with kitties, and keep families together to accumulate the most points. The player with the highest score after five rounds of pure feline fun will be the grand winner. With a family mode and a solo version, 'The Isle of Cats' offers a challenging and engaging experience for players of all levels, from casual to seasoned gamers.
Rules videos

In English

Rules manual
Rules manual — The Isle of Cats English · PDF
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BEST PLAYER COUNT
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Game details

Families

Animals: Cats Animals: Fish / Fishes Components: Meeples (Animal) / Animeeples Components: Polyominoes Components: Wooden pieces & boards Crowdfunding: Kickstarter
Publisher The City of Games, Arclight Games, GaGa Games, Geekach LLC, Gémklub, Intrafin Games
Designer Frank West
Artist Dragolisco, Frank West
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players can play 'The Isle of Cats'?
'The Isle of Cats' can be played by 1 to 4 players. Yes, it has a really fun solo mode for when you want to save kitties by yourself!
What is the average game duration?
A game typically takes between 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the number of players and everyone's familiarity with the rules.
What is the complexity level of the game?
It's considered a medium-weight game. It's not overly complex, but it offers plenty of strategic depth with card drafting and polyomino placement, making it accessible for families and challenging for more experienced players.
Are the components of good quality?
Yes, the components are of excellent quality, featuring unique cat tiles, sturdy boat boards, and well-illustrated cards that contribute to the thematic immersion.
Is this game for beginners or more experienced players?
It's a versatile game! It has a 'family mode' that simplifies some rules for beginners and children, but it also offers a challenging experience with lessons and point optimization for more experienced players.
Do I need to know English to play?
The language dependency is moderate. The cards have text, so a translated spreadsheet or translated cards (if a localized version exists) will greatly help with game flow.
What is the main objective of the game?
Your main goal is to rescue as many cats as possible from The Isle of Cats, fit them efficiently onto your boat (keeping families together), and complete lessons to accumulate the most victory points before Lord Vesh arrives.