King of Monster Island: Stomp, Smash, Survive… Together?
- King of Monster Island – Strategy Board Game (King of Tokyo Sequel)
- Family Game
- Play Cooperatively
- Ages 10+
- 1-5 Players
- 60 Minutes
- Brand: IELLO Games
- Release Date: 2022
- Designer: Richard Garfield
(Magic: the Gathering, Bunny Kingdom, Keyforge, King of Tokyo, etc.) - Check the current price on Amazon.
Theme & Flavor:
King of Monster Island is a sequel to King of Tokyo. King of Tokyo is a fast-paced dice game where giant monsters battle for city-stomping glory. Roll dice to collect energy, attack rivals, or heal. Earn victory points through rampages, card effects, and eliminating other contenders. Think of King of Tokyo as a modernization of Yahtzee, but with combat between all players. If you don’t own King of Tokyo, check it out at Amazon. King of Tokyo has a fan rating of 4.8/5.0 on Amazon.
King of Monster Island ditches the competitive claws of its predecessor, King of Tokyo, for a cooperative romp where players team up to defeat giant rampaging monsters. The vibrant artwork and goofy monster designs (think Godzilla meets Power Rangers) create a lighthearted atmosphere perfect for casual gaming nights.
Mechanics & Gameplay:
The core dice-rolling mechanic feels familiar, echoing King of Tokyo, but the cooperative twist adds a fresh layer. Players roll dice to gain energy, fight the monster, heal, and explore the island, acquiring cards that grant unique abilities. The volcano dice tower adds a fun, tactile element, and the increasing difficulty of the boss keeps the tension high. However, some may find the decision-making lighter compared to strategic co-ops.
Components & Artwork:
The chunky monster standees and eye-catching island board create a fantastic table presence. The artwork is bold and playful, perfectly capturing the monster-mash theme. The volcano dice tower is a delightful and functional centerpiece.
Replayability:
Three different monster bosses, each with two difficulty levels, offer strategic options and keep the game fresh. The included “Ultimate Challenge” mode further increases replayability for seasoned players.
Final Verdict: 4/5
King of Monster Island delivers a lighthearted yet engaging cooperative experience. The familiar dice-rolling mechanics are easy to learn, and the teamwork aspect fosters collaboration and shared excitement. While not offering the strategic depth of some co-ops, its charming theme, eye-catching visuals, and increasing difficulty make it a perfect choice for casual game nights and family gatherings.
Pojo Notes:
- King of Monster Island is slightly more difficult than King of Tokyo. King of Tokyo is an extremely easy game to learn. Monster Island steps it up a little, but it’s not crazy. The rulebook is very well written. And there are a lot of great YouTube videos for training.
- My family prefers Monster Island these days over King of Tokyo.
- There can be downtime between your turns. The monster acts between each player’s turns. Some players prefer it to Monster Island this with 2-3 players. I honestly don’t mind playing this at 4. I have never tried it with 5 though.
- Mix and Match – Players can use their favorite King of Tokyo monsters with this game. If you love any of the previously introduced monsters, use ’em!
Who Should Play It: Fans of light co-op games, King of Tokyo, and monster mayhem.
Tips & Tricks:
- Prioritize healing early on to sustain your team.
- Work together to defeat the minions before they overwhelm you.
- Utilize your monster abilities strategically to maximize their impact.
- Don’t be afraid to push your luck with the dice, but remember the risks!