Monasterium
- Players
- 2-4
- 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).
- 3.2 / 5
- Year
- 2020
About the game
In Monasterium, players take on the role of a cathedral school dean during the early Middle Ages, sending novices to build up one of five monasteries founded in a shared valley. Using an innovative dice mechanism, players place novices at monastery buildings, the chapel, or the cloister, courting influential figures and completing special missions to build reputation. Players can also contribute to the stained-glass windows of their own cathedral to further their fame. After a three-year novitiate ends, whoever has earned the most fame and glory wins. A double-sided board supports both two-player and three-to-four-player configurations.
Hobbli's Notes
Monasterium is a thoughtful medium-heavy Euro that finds a genuinely fresh angle on worker placement by tying it closely to dice allocation. The medieval monastery theme is nicely realized through Dennis Lohausen's artwork, and the multiple scoring paths give players real strategic choices about how to build their reputation. It's a solid pick for Euro gamers looking for something a bit different from standard worker-placement fare, though it demands a real rules investment upfront.
What we like
- Innovative dice-driven worker placement mechanic.
- Rich medieval monastery theme and setting.
- Double-sided board supports both 2-player and 3-4 player play.
- Strong artwork throughout.
- Multiple viable paths to victory.
Keep in mind
- Rules can feel dense for newcomers to Euro games.
- 120-minute playtime with fairly high complexity.
- Dice-based worker allocation introduces some swinginess.
Who it's for
Best for medium-to-heavy Euro gamers aged 12 and up who enjoy dice-driven worker placement, in groups of two to four.
