Shadow Kingdoms of Valeria
- Players
- 1-5
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 3 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 75 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 14+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 2.6 / 5
- Year
- 2021
About the game
Shadow Kingdoms of Valeria flips the popular Valeria universe on its head, letting one to five players command monstrous Wardens rallying goblins, orcs, skeletons, gargoyles, and gnolls against the encroaching human kingdoms. Players move a Warden around a shared board of dark Shrines, collecting minions, magic, gems, and gold, then send troops into battle to conquer territory and earn victory points. Dice serve as your available troop types, drafted and spent through worker placement to fuel your growing war machine. The player with the most victory points once resources are depleted claims the Shadow Kingdoms' throne.
Hobbli's Notes
Fans of the Valeria series should enjoy seeing the world from the monster side for a change, and the dice-drafting worker placement keeps decisions snappy at a moderate 75-minute length. It scales unusually well from solo up through five players, which is a real strength for game night flexibility. The dice-driven combat introduces a layer of luck that strategy purists may want to weigh before buying in.
What we like
- Flexible player count from solo up to five players.
- Dice-drafting worker placement offers accessible strategic depth.
- Fun villain-perspective twist on the established Valeria universe.
- Moderate 75-minute playtime fits most game nights.
Keep in mind
- Dice-based mechanics introduce luck that can frustrate strategy-focused players.
- Thematic connection to base Valeria may feel optional if unfamiliar with the series.
- Worker placement conflicts can slow multiplayer turns.
Who it's for
Good for fans of dice-drafting worker-placement games age 14+ who want a dark fantasy twist, playable solo or in groups up to five.
