86

Inis is a strategy game deeply rooted in Celtic history and lore where players compete to become King or Queen of the Island. The game combines area control mechanics with card drafting, featuring gorgeous artwork and multiple victory conditions including controlling territories with six or more enemy clans.

86

The Verdict

based on 22 reviews

Positive 0%
Beautiful artwork and high-quality components enhance the Celtic theme.
Innovative and elegant card drafting mechanism provides deep tactical decisions and player agency.
Deterministic combat system is praised for being strategic, tense, and allowing for diplomacy and truces rather than brute force.
Multiple, balanced victory conditions encourage diverse strategies and prevent a single player from easily dominating.
High replayability due to variable board setups and diverse strategic approaches in each game.
The potential for 'kingmaking' or 'bash the leader' dynamics, particularly in the late game, where a player's actions can disproportionately influence the outcome for others.
The strategic depth, despite simple rules, can lead to a steeper learning curve and require multiple plays for new players to fully grasp.
Some find the endgame can occasionally become protracted with players constantly blocking each other's victory attempts.
100
StatedThis reviewer gave their own score. We only converted it to our 0–100 scale.
There Will Be Games, MasonSokolArticle

Inis is praised as a tense, brilliant area-control game blending card drafting and deterministic combat. Its unique victory conditions and quick playtime make for an engaging and tactical experience.

100
StatedThis reviewer gave their own score. We only converted it to our 0–100 scale.
Meeple Mountain, Thomas WellsArticle

Inis is an elegant, brutal, and deeply thematic strategy game about power struggles and timing, where players draft cards to vie for control of a Celtic island through brilliant maneuvering rather than mindless combat.

95
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
Shut Up & Sit Down, Paul and QuinnsVideo

This video offers a comprehensive and engaging review of the board game 'Inis', covering its gameplay, mechanics, and overall player experience. It provides insights into why the reviewers consider it a standout title.

95
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
Bumbling Through Dungeons, Mark WilsonArticleTop List

Bumbling Through Dungeons highly praises Inis for its elegant rules, tight construction, and the complex tactical puzzle that emerges from strong player interaction, making it one of the most well-designed games of its type despite some inherent chaos.

See list
95
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
GeekDadArticle

The reviewer highly praises Inis for its stunning art and exceptional component quality, describing the unboxing experience as a "Christmas morning". They highlight the game's streamlined design, easy-to-learn rules, and strategic depth, presenting it as a refined successor to similar "dudes on a map" games.

95
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
How To Roll Dice, JoshVideo

The reviewer enthusiastically praises Inis as the 'best Celtic game ever,' highlighting its blend of simple mechanics with deep strategy, exceptional component quality, stunning art, and high replayability.

95
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
3 Minute Board Games, 3 Minute Board GamesVideo

Inis is an excellent, epic area control game praised for its engaging card-driven drafting and dramatic combat. Despite potential for quick eliminations or overlooked win conditions, its strong reversals and aggressive gameplay loop make it a "gold medal game.

90
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
Cardboard Rhino, Eleni, The Cardboard RhinoVideo

The reviewer highly recommends Inis, praising it as an easy-to-learn but hard-to-master area control game with gorgeous components and high replayability.

90
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
Tantrum House, Will and RyanVideo

The Tantrum House reviewers highly praise Inis for its deep strategy, unique card drafting mechanic, and excellent Celtic-themed artwork that creates an immersive atmosphere. They found it to be a highly replayable and engaging area control game that rewards thoughtful planning.

90
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
Drive Thru Games, Sam HealeyVideo

The video reviews Inis, describing it as a card drafting and area control game with evocative Celtic-style art and a unique way the game ends through three distinct victory conditions.

90
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
No Pun Included, Efka Bladukas and ElaineVideo

The reviewer expresses a strong personal fondness for Inis, acknowledging that its unique qualities make it a divisive game—people will either love it or hate it, much like marmite.

90
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
The Cardboard Herald, JackVideo

The video offers initial thoughts on Inis, a Celtic-themed area control game. It discusses the intricate mechanics, unique victory conditions, and the game's distinctive, beautiful components and artwork.

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