Cooper Island

1-4

Players

120

Minutes

12+

Age

2019

Published

Designer Andreas Odendahl
Publisher Frosted Games , Arclight Games , Arrakis Games , Capstone Games , Pegasus Spiele
Illustration Javier González Cava

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What to Expect

Players settle a large island over five rounds by placing landscape tiles, gathering resources, and building buildings with special abilities. Barriers must be removed to explore further. Different worker types enable varied actions, while players sail ships around the island to track victory points. Small islands offer valuable bonuses. The game blends strategic planning with exploration and resource management.

Who Is This Game For?

Cooper Island targets medium-weight strategy gamers aged 12 and up who enjoy worker placement and engine-building games. With a playtime around 120 minutes, it demands patience and strategic thinking. It also supports solo play, increasing flexibility. Prior experience with similar mechanics helps with learning.

How It Works

The core mechanics include worker placement with different worker types and tile placement to explore the island. Players generate income from resources used to construct buildings with special abilities. The turn order claim action system adds tactical depth. Sailing ships around the island marks victory progress and grants bonuses from smaller islands. After five rounds, the player with the best development wins.

Income Layering Tile Placement Turn Order: Claim Action Worker Placement Worker Placement, Different Worker Types

What Makes It Special

Designed by Andreas Odendahl, Cooper Island was nominated for the 2019 Meeples Choice Award and 2020 Jogo do Ano and JUG Adult Game of the Year. It uniquely combines worker placement, income, and tile placement mechanics with a turn order claim action system. Set during the Age of Discovery, it offers a distinctive mix of exploration and settlement with ship movement tracking scoring.

Awards

2020 Jogo do Ano — Nominated
2020 JUG Adult Game of the Year — Finalist
2019 Meeples Choice Award — Nominated

Pro

Innovative mix of worker placement and tile placement
Includes solo mode for flexible player counts
Thematic Age of Discovery atmosphere
Nominations for Meeples Choice Award and Jogo do Ano

Contra

Relatively long playtime (~120 minutes)
Complexity requires learning time
Not suitable for players under 12

Setting & Atmosphäre

The game is set during the Age of Discovery on a large, uncharted island where players act as settlers exploring and developing new territories. The colonial theme combines exploration with building and trading.

Tipp für Einsteiger

Focus first on understanding worker placement and resource management before exploring more complex strategies.

Häufige Fragen

Can I play this solo?

Yes, Cooper Island supports solo play, as the minimum player count is 1.

How long does a game really take?

A game typically lasts about 120 minutes, making it an extended play session.

What prior experience do I need?

The game is a medium-weight strategy title requiring some experience with complex games.

How does this compare to similar games?

Cooper Island uniquely combines worker placement, income, and tile placement mechanics with a turn order claim action system.

Is this suitable for families?

Due to its complexity and recommended age of 12+, it is better suited for experienced family members.

What mechanic makes it special?

The combination of worker placement with different worker types and the turn order claim action is a key feature.

Fazit

Cooper Island is a solid medium-weight strategy game for players who enjoy complex resource and action management with a colonial theme. Its longer playtime and strategic depth require some experience.