The Isle of Cats
- Designer Frank West
- Publisher The City of Games , Arclight Games , GaGa Games , Geekach LLC , Gém Klub Kft.
- Illustration Dragolisco , Frank West
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Start for freeWhat to Expect
You are citizens of Squalls End on a mission to rescue as many cats as possible before Lord Vesh arrives. Each cat is a unique tile and belongs to families; you must fit them onto your boat while keeping families together. Over five rounds you draft cards to explore the island, rescue cats, find treasures, befriend Oshax and collect lessons that provide personal scoring paths. Fill your boat, complete lessons and score the most points to win.
Who Is This Game For?
For ages 8+ and 1–4 players; solo play is supported. The weight is medium—suitable as a family game with some expert-ish decisions. Players who like spatial puzzles and drafting will enjoy it most.
How It Works
Core mechanics include Closed Drafting and Open Drafting paired with Grid Coverage and Pattern Building: you draft cards to choose cats and resources, then place polyomino tiles onto your boat grid to cover space and keep families together. Hidden Victory Points and Income elements affect long-term scoring. Personal lessons add varied scoring conditions, creating trade-offs between short-term gains and long-term plans.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Frank West, the game blends polyomino puzzles with card-drafting in a themed rescue scenario. It received multiple nominations in 2019 and 2020, including Golden Geek Best Family Board Game (2019 nominee) and Board Game Quest Awards Best Family Game (2020 nominee). The combination of family grouping and individual lessons sets it apart from pure puzzle titles.
Awards
2019
- 2020 Board Game Quest Awards Best Family Game — Nominated
- 2020 Meeples Choice Award — Nominated
- 2019 Board Game Quest Awards Best Game from a Small Publisher — Nominated
Pro
- Blends card-drafting with polyomino placement for tactical decisions
- Personal lessons increase variety and replayability
- Supports solo play (1–4 players)
- Accessible theme (cats) appeals to families and younger players
Contra
- Around 90 minutes playtime requires a dedicated session
- Medium complexity may be unfamiliar to drafting or placement newcomers
Setting & Atmosphäre
A whimsical island rescue theme: you ferry cats off an island, collect treasures and study ancient lessons—mixing nautical and animal themes with light fantasy touches.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Focus on clean tile placement and keeping families intact; pick lessons that match your play style rather than chasing every bonus.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
Yes. The game supports solo play.
How long does a game really take?
Listed duration is about 90 minutes; teaching and setup can extend that time.
What prior experience do I need?
Familiarity with drafting or spatial puzzle mechanics helps, since it uses Card-Drafting and Pattern Building.
How does this compare to similar games?
Its mix of card-drafting with polyomino grid coverage and personal lessons differentiates it from pure drafting or pure puzzle games.
Is this suitable for families?
Yes. Minimum age is 8 and it was nominated for family-game awards (Golden Geek Best Family Board Game 2019 nominee).
What mechanic makes it special?
The combination of Closed/Open Drafting with Polyomino Grid Coverage (Pattern Building) is the standout mechanic.
Fazit
Recommended for groups wanting a spatial, draft-driven family game; less suited if you prefer heavy euro or deep tactical wargames.
