Inis

Inis is a territory control game where you are trying to meet the most victory conditions at the end of a round in order to win. The art is fantastic, the components are high quality, the rules are simple, the game is fun. The base game has a problem where you could easily get into a bit of an endless loop, but the expansion has a ruleset called We need a king that I recommend everyone play with to keep Inis from turning into a marathon. The ruleset does not require any extra components to play. The insert that comes with the game does not appropriately fit the location tiles that it is supposed to be storing. This is due to the insert curving inward instead of being flush with the box. To solve this, I just cut one side of the curved insert using scissors. Kind of weird that this was something I had to do though.

This is a fantastic area control game with an elegant and relatively simple ruleset. The artwork is amazing and vibrant, and the theme is very strong. Simply put, you're trying to become king of the island. Unlike other area control games, the victory conditions are not simply most victory points or map domination. Indeed there are three victory conditions and a player only needs to be eligible for one to win. Without going into detail about the specifics, this system works very well and allows for impactful plays and significant swings in the power struggle. Using these victory conditions, a player will rarely feel so far behind as to be completely out of the running as tends to happen in other area control games. The majority of the play is done through cards. These cards fall broadly into two categories: season and triskelon, or Action and Reaction. There are, however, three types of cards: Acton (green), Advantage (yellow) and Epic Tale (red), but each card functions within the parameters of action or reaction. The reaction cards allow for more player interaction and strategic depth. Timing of the reaction cards can sometimes be tricky and how they play out can require some reading between the lines of the rules which is fairly par for the course when it comes to card-based mechanics, but this can also be a big part of the fun. The cards are either earned through play (yellow and red cards) or drafted (green cards) at the start of each round. The drafting system is worth mentioning in that it allows you to pass all cards on each step of the draft, giving you the ability to better sculpt a more focused hand. Battles or Clashes are simple and straightforward. No overwrought system of calculating strength and defense numbers and no randomness due to dice rolls. Players are given three simple choices when it's their turn in the battle, or all players involved in the battle can choose to lay down arms and cease the clash right there. I won't go into more detail but will say it's deceptively simple yet offers some strategic depth, especially when factoring in the victory conditions. The cardboard and plastic quality is solid, and the miniatures are detailed and pretty. The artwork is a standout in the game. Beautiful, colorful and vibrant, you'll definitely want to sleeve your cards simply to preserve them. The larger-sized cards are a welcome change from normal games and allow for the artwork to shine. You'll need to find some non-standard-sized sleeves if you do want to sleeve them however, but they aren't hard to find at all and are not expensive. Inis is currently my favorite area control game and is easily in my top 5 overall. Definitely worth the price if you are at all interested in this genre.

I have played many games where territory control was an element of the game, but I think this might be territory control at its finest. There is a stack of action cards with an interesting card drafting mechanic. There are also epic tale cards that change things up as you go. The idea is to arrange your clans in such a way that you achieve more victory conditions than your opponent at the right time. This requires some strategic timing and bluffing. It does take a playthrough or two to get hang of the action cards. This is because you will not see them all at first and will not know what your opponents have. Inis also has beautiful artwork on the very unique tiles and cards. I definitely recommend this game!

It works well as a two player game but really does best as 4. The kingmaker aspect of the game helps a lot in keeping players engaged and it's really always edge on your seat game style.

A fun wargame that is different every time. It’s not super complicated but it still has a good amount of strategic crunch.

The reason this is my favorite game because your options on your turn, although simple (play a card or pass), have a lot of weight. The more you play, the more complexity grows out of these decisions. With multiple victory conditions (including sharing territories with others) and a combat system without dice, there's always something you can do to win. One friend went from last place to winning the game in one season (round of play). I enjoy the theme, area control, unique card drafting, multiple victory conditions, varying map locations, player interaction, and teaming up when necessary to keep a potential victor from winning the game.

a great game to have in your collection

Really enjoying this game, I've played it a few times now, and every play through just a few more of this game's clever tricks are revealed. It isn't really too complex for newer gamers, (I play with family usually), but I definitely made extra player aid cards that clearly explain the game's win conditions. I was pretty surprised they were nowhere on the player aid cards in the box. Otherwise, very happy with this game, and surprised I haven't played it sooner!

Three seperate yet interconnected win conditions allow for different play styles in this territory control game that plays less like a war game and more of a game of diplomacy. Or does it? For every choice you make, you are giving away to other players great opportunities as you draft your play action cards from a pool each round. Interesting but also so very gorgeous art.

Really enjoy this drafting game. It's a good departure from the regular dudes on map games.