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The Isle of Cats

The Isle of Cats is a tile-laying game where players rescue cats and place them on their boats to score points. Players must also manage resources and avoid hazards to maximize their score.

7.70 / 10
BGG Rating
8+
age
2019
published year
1 - 4
player count
1 - 4
Recommended player count
60 - 90 mins
play time

How Complex is The Isle of Cats?

2.36 / 5

The Isle of Cats has moderate complexity with simple rules, but strategic decisions and resource management can be challenging for new players.

How much Luck is involved in the gameplay of The Isle of Cats?

2.5 / 5

Luck plays a moderate role in The Isle of Cats. The random draw of cat tiles and treasure cards can impact strategy, but players have control over resource management and placement decisions.

How much Player Interaction does The Isle of Cats offer?

2 / 5

The Isle of Cats has limited player interaction as players focus on their own boat and objectives. However, there is some competition for resources and cat tiles.

How much Replayability does The Isle of Cats offer?

4 / 5

The Isle of Cats offers high replayability due to the variable setup of treasure cards, cat tiles, and player objectives. Different strategies can be explored in each game.

Why you should play The Isle of Cats

Unique gameplay

The Isle of Cats is a unique game that combines tile-laying, drafting, and resource management mechanics. Players must strategically place their tiles to create the best possible cat kingdom while also managing their resources to score points.

Adorable theme

Who doesn't love cats? The Isle of Cats is a game that is sure to appeal to cat lovers of all ages. The game features cute cat illustrations and a fun theme that is sure to put a smile on your face.

Replayability

The game comes with a variety of different cat tiles and player boards, which means that no two games will ever be the same. This makes The Isle of Cats a game that you can play over and over again without getting bored.

Easy to learn

Despite its unique gameplay mechanics, The Isle of Cats is actually quite easy to learn. The game comes with a helpful rulebook and tutorial videos that make it easy for new players to get started.

Strategic depth

While the game is easy to learn, it also has a lot of strategic depth. Players must carefully manage their resources and plan their moves in advance if they want to score the most points. This makes The Isle of Cats a game that is both fun and challenging to play.

Why you should avoid The Isle of Cats

Not for everyone

While The Isle of Cats has a cute and fun theme, it may not be for everyone. If you're not a fan of cats or don't enjoy tile-laying games, then this game may not be for you.

Limited player interaction

The Isle of Cats is a game that is mostly played in isolation, with players working on their own cat kingdoms. While there is some limited player interaction through the drafting mechanic, the game may not be as social as some players would like.

Complexity

While the game is easy to learn, it can be quite complex to master. Players must carefully manage their resources and plan their moves in advance if they want to score the most points. This may be intimidating for some players who prefer simpler games.

Overall, The Isle of Cats is a great game for cat lovers and fans of tile-laying games who enjoy a challenge. However, it may not be the best fit for players who prefer more social games or simpler mechanics.

Where to find the Rules of The Isle of Cats

You can find the community-driven rules summary, player aid, etc., in the The Isle of Cats files section on the BoardGameGeek website. You need an account on BGG to download files.

Beginner Strategies for The Isle of Cats

These strategies are for players who have either not played or played one or two games of The Isle of Cats.

Focus on the Objectives

The Isle of Cats is a game where players score points by collecting different types of cats and completing objectives. It's important to keep an eye on the objectives and try to collect cats that match them. This will help you score more points and stay ahead of your opponents.

Plan Your Board

The game board in The Isle of Cats is made up of different shapes and sizes of tiles. It's important to plan your board carefully and try to fit as many cats as possible onto each tile. This will help you maximize your points and make the most of your board.

Use Your Resources Wisely

The game has different types of resources that you can use to collect cats and complete objectives. It's important to use these resources wisely and try to get the most out of them. For example, you can use fish to buy more cats or use baskets to protect cats from rats.

Keep an Eye on Your Opponents

The Isle of Cats is a competitive game, so it's important to keep an eye on what your opponents are doing. Try to block them from collecting cats or completing objectives, and keep an eye on their boards to see what they're planning.

Don't Forget About the Lessons

The game has a set of lesson cards that can give you special abilities or bonuses. Don't forget to use these cards to your advantage and try to collect as many as possible.

Overall, The Isle of Cats is a fun and challenging game that requires careful planning and strategy. By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to becoming a successful cat collector!

Advanced Strategies for The Isle of Cats

Focus on the Advanced Objectives

Once you've played the game a few times, you'll start to get a feel for the different types of objectives and how they work. Try to focus on the more advanced objectives, as these can be worth more points and give you a bigger advantage over your opponents.

Use the Advanced Lessons

The game has a set of advanced lesson cards that can give you even more powerful abilities and bonuses. Make sure to use these cards to your advantage and try to collect as many as possible.

Plan Your Board More Strategically

As you become more familiar with the game, you'll start to develop your own strategies for planning your board. Try to think more strategically about how you place your tiles and which cats you collect, as this can make a big difference in your final score.

Pay Attention to the Rat Tokens

The rat tokens can be a real nuisance in the game, as they can destroy your cats and ruin your plans. Try to keep an eye on the rat tokens and use your baskets and other resources to protect your cats from them.

Don't Be Afraid to Take Risks

The Isle of Cats is a game that rewards risk-taking, so don't be afraid to try new strategies and take chances. Sometimes, the biggest rewards come from taking a calculated risk and going for a big score.

Overall, The Isle of Cats is a game that rewards careful planning and strategic thinking. By following these tips and developing your own strategies, you'll be well on your way to becoming a master cat collector!

Mechanics

Tile Placement
Set Collection
Open Drafting
Pattern Building
Solo / Solitaire Game
Turn Order: Stat-Based
Income
Square Grid
Grid Coverage
Closed Drafting
Hidden Victory Points

Categories

Nautical
Fantasy
Puzzle
Animals