Monster Lands
- Players
- 1-4
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 3 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 120 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 12+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 3.3 / 5
- Year
- 2018
About the game
Monster Lands is a competitive dice-placement game where 1-4 players lead a clan of warriors seeking the crown of the Lands of the Discord. Players use dice from their mercenaries to improve their clan within the Citadel or venture Outside to battle monsters, reclaim territory, and earn glory. Victory points come from glory, reputation, gold, and monster trophies, with glory earned outside the Citadel's walls mattering most. It blends worker-placement dice mechanics with fantasy combat and resource management.
Hobbli's Notes
Monster Lands stands out for making dice placement feel tactical rather than purely luck-based, since the timing and type of dice used ripples out to affect other players. The dual Citadel and Outside structure gives players a real choice between safe development and risky glory-seeking. It's a satisfying mid-heavy fantasy game for groups who like dice-driven worker placement with real strategic decisions. The fantasy combat theme adds excitement to what's fundamentally a resource-management engine.
What we like
- Clever dice-placement system that rewards timing and planning over luck.
- Strong risk-reward choice between safe development and risky glory quests.
- Engaging fantasy combat theme layered onto a worker-placement core.
- Solo play option adds flexibility.
Keep in mind
- Moderate-high complexity may challenge newer gamers.
- Long 120-minute playtime requires a dedicated session.
Who it's for
Suited for strategy gamers (12+) who enjoy dice-placement and worker-placement fantasy games, in groups of 1-4.
