Lads and lassies, this week’s featured game is Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King, the Kennerspiel des Jahres–winning tile-layer from Andreas Pelikan and Alexander Pfister.
Here’s the twist that makes Isle of Skye stand out from other tile-laying games: you set your own prices. Each round, every player draws four landscape tiles, decides which ones to put up for sale, and prices them with coins from their own supply. Then everyone else gets to buy and whatever you don’t sell, you’re stuck with (and it costs you points). It’s a clever bit of push-your-luck pricing psychology layered on top of classic tile placement, and there’s nothing “clan-destine” about it. Everyone can see what you’re charging, so haggle wisely.
As you build out your kingdom tile by tile, you’re chasing four scoring categories that change every round based on scoring tiles that rotate through the game. That means the strategy that’s winning you points in round one might be worthless by round three. Whisky barrels, ships, castles, and roads all matter at different times, so reading the shifting scoring conditions is just as important as reading your opponents’ pricing. Get it wrong and your kingdom plans could go up in a wee dram of smoke.
It’s an easy game to learn, but the pricing mechanic gives it real depth. Perfect for players who want something more strategic without a steep learning curve.
Come build your kingdom with us this Monday at 2 Row Brewing