Another Carcassonne?? But why do we need another version? Trust me, this is the game you’re looking for.
We admit it. We have a Carcassonne problem. We have so many expansions that if we were to actually play out all of the cards we would be at the table for a week. (And the idea of that actually sounds like a good plan!) If you haven’t played the original version then go on out and give it a try. It’s a classic for a reason and a great gateway game.
Here’s the thing though. This version? It is so much more than an old copy with a new theme smacked on top in a shiny package.
Star Wars Carcasonne 2nd Star Review
2nd – (2 player rating) With the added battle strategies, Star Wars Carcassonne really ups the 2 player score. What could easily be a parallel solitaire kind of game becomes much more intriguing. For those who have played the original, instead of cloisters there are now planets. They score in much the same way – by surrounding them with 8 tiles. However, now, if you place a tile in one of those surrounding spaces and an opponent is in control of the planet, there’s a battle! With dice! And extra points! And Boba Fett! Ok, we’re excited, but you get the idea. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
S – (setup, takedown, instructions) There is a minimal of setup and cleanup for this game. It is a stand-alone version of Carcassonne so there are very few cards, pieces, etc. The directions are much clearer on scoring than I found the original version to be. This is a great game to start new gamers off with as it can be taught very quickly. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
T – (Tactile, components, artwork, etc) Just look at these pieces! The meeples even come with character stickers to apply. (We have not applied ours yet.) Who doesn’t want to conquer the galaxy playing as Yoda, a Stormtrooper, Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker or Boba Fett? There are also factions on the tiles that factor into the battles depending on your character. See? Even more strategy. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
A – (action, mechanics, general gameplay) – Like I’ve been very enthusiastically explaining, it’s like the original but even better in some ways. The theme works because the mechanics play out well. Carcassonne is still at its heart a simple, elegant tile-placement game. The thematic elements just enhance that. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
R – (replay factor) Like any tile-placement game, the board is always new and different. No two games are alike. Will we be bringing this to the table as much as the original version? I think so. The difference here is that this is a thematic, streamlined choice. As mentioned earlier, our original version is now a giant mix of expansions and additions. And we love it. But this is simple and quick. Both will see lots of time at the table. 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Final Score 🌟🌟🌟🌟.8 4.8/5 stars The force is strong with this one. (Oh, come on! How can you resist at least one quote?!)
2-5 players. 7 and up. 35 minutes.
The only drawback we can see is that it might have to share some table time with the original or that because it is an older, classic game, it might lose some table time to the newer and shinier.
One added note: Speaking of “shiny.” We are seriously looking forward to using our Cowboy meeples from Tiny Epic Western to create our own Firefly version.