Inis Board Game

Product Information

I don’t review games, as far as I can, unless I’ve actually done my level best to get the most out of them and play them on their own terms. In addition to the cards, there are a set of 12 plastic figures for each of the four players, a few citadel and sanctuary buildings and some beautiful island tiles. In the shadow of the citadel built on the highest point of the highlands, you stand, your clans at your back and her clans at hers.

Among your allies are the warrior Cuchulainn, the beautiful and tragic Deirdre, and the exiles Diarmuid and Grainne.Or, as is sometimes the case, that you get in hand a combination of cards so situationally powerful that it brings the entire game to a vaguely unfair conclusion. Whether I’m the one stunned or jubilant, it’s always a fantastic moment to be a part of, and one that is remembered and talked about long after. The three victory conditions of the game reflect this well – you can have clan members in six territories, or you can have command over six opponent clan members, or you can be present in territories that hold a total of six sanctuaries. Brenn gives incentive to take the capital if you wanna go first or select where to put new territories, while ravens change the way a lot of things work from round to round — which is a way bigger deal than it seems and keeps the turns from getting stale. This is where you select one from your starting hand of four and pass the rest on, before passing two from four and finally three from four, leaving you with a hand of four cards.

It’s a deep game about power struggles, and it’s one that makes a very interesting statement about them.I love games that are not decided until the final moment, and the Epic Tale cards do an incredible job of capturing that magic for Inis. If you don’t own the game and are curious, or it’s only an occasional pull at your table, you may be able to sit this one out.