Monster Island Master Board Game
Monster Island Master — a standalone game in the series of Masters by the incomparable Richard Garfield. But this time he created... a cooperative strategy? Yes! A cool family action game in the beloved monstrous setting has shifted from the "everyone against everyone" format to "everyone against the boss." Here you can not only enjoy smashing the enemy but also think critically to save the Earth from the treacherous claws of Lavaloard and his minions. Monsters, it's time to leave competition in the past — now you're one team!
Monster Island Master: A Bit More About the Game
King of Tokyo rightfully deserves the title of one of the most popular board games. Throughout its long journey around the world, it has gone through several editions, gained a dozen expansions, and raised almost a whole generation of board gamers. Players' demands have grown, and it seems Garfield is seriously planning to surprise us! He has taken all the best from his creation and created something new for those who are ready to reach the next monster level.
Monster Island Master — the same devilishly exciting dice-throwing game, but now alongside crazy randomness, bright illustrations by Pol Maffione, and spectacular battles, new mechanics, a sea of interaction, and tough choices at every step have been added. The contents of this box are also impressive: large monster figures, several terrifying bosses, a huge foldable board, custom dice, and a plastic volcano tower!
No more competition for the title of "king of the hill" — now you're compelled to fight against a common enemy. In cooperative mode, players interact closely with each other and face the tough challenge of maintaining team morale. The boss here, to be fair, is not to be trifled with! He actively builds strength, fortifies his shields, and launches furious attacks, while his minions tangle around your feet. Each player's turn must be as effective as possible, or you'll be wiped out by a wave of enemy dice from the very mouth of the volcano. This isn't just about wrecking Tokyo!
Defeating the evil monster must happen before it finishes constructing a crystal portal to another dimension and destroys all living things. Gain popularity points, wisely activate dice, move, heal each other to collectively deal the most crushing blow. Mighty Megamoli wings, deadly shoots of Colorisaur, and razor-sharp claws of Paguro will come into play. Ability cards, energy dice, and support tokens will surely help you. Discuss your action plan and share the needed dice — and then victory will be in your huge paws.
There are several bosses against whom players will face off, ready for a showdown at medium and high difficulty levels. Defeat the Crystal Dragon, Litosaurs, and Lavaloard separately or one after the other to complete the Challenge of the Century. Annoying minions will support the boss, while allies with unique abilities will help you. Who will you take to the island: a team of brilliant scientists, silent ninjas, tech-savvy primates, or a squad of med-bots?
Monster Island Master is perfect for those who have "outgrown" King of Tokyo a bit and are ready for new adventures but haven't forgotten the thrill and anticipation generated by flying dice. Plus, it's the perfect game for the whole family: a sea of tension and interaction, ensuring no one leaves disheartened.
In Brief About the Rules
Players take turns, and each turn consists of two phases: the boss phase and the monster phase.
In the boss phase, activate its ability, then roll the available red dice into the volcano in the center of the island — it will randomly distribute the dice across the board, and the boss will move to the adjacent zone with the highest number of dice. Minions will also activate there, and these pesky little things will bring you plenty of trouble — for example, they will protect their allies, deal damage, or erect a couple of new sparkling crystals. Finally, the boss's dice activate, enhancing its abilities, summoning new minions, and fortifying crystals that are about to turn into monoliths and initiate the portal opening...
In the monster phase, players strike back — it’s time to roll your 6 dice! Play their effects in any order: gain energy or popularity points, restore health or move any monster, place a support token on the board, or deal damage to the enemy in your zone. Dice can be re-rolled twice to collect an appropriate combination, but even better — share them with teammates. A die that is at hand at the right moment can not only help friends but also turn the tide of even the most difficult game.
By distributing damage among opponents, eliminate pesky minions first, and then deal with the boss. The game concludes with a victory for the monsters if the boss's health drops to 0. Monsters lose if a player starts their turn with 0 health, if a third crystal monolith appears on the field, or if the bag of minions runs empty.
In Monster Island Master, the main mechanics with dice throwing remain, but how much the feel of the game has changed! Randomness strikes hard at life points and self-esteem, but your success primarily depends not on what has come up on the faces, but on your ability to make the most of the results, swiftly change plans, and actively cooperate with each other.
Number of players: 2–4.
Game duration: from 30 to 60 minutes.
