Crystallia

Boulogne-Billancourt International Contest Finalist 2022. Ion Award Finalist 2023

You are among the chosen descendants of one of the world’s ancient civilizations who meet on a remote island once a year to keep the world in balance. In an underground temple, you must use the Board of Opportunity by placing stones with powerful crystals that will determine what the future holds. However, summon too many crystals of one color and bring horrible luck upon your people.

In Crystallia, each descendant duels for the good fortune of their people by drafting stones from a pyramid and strategically placing them on the Board of Opportunity, which they will create from 6 of 16 different pieces at the start of each game. Activate stones by creating lines of crystals of the same color, taking advantage of free crystals on the board and use powerful abilities that change the board-- and the turn order. Patience and self-control are needed as these stones can unlock special powers like the ability to rotate stones, move stones or even earn another turn.

Stones can only be drafted from the pyramid if no other stone is on top of them, so picking the right stones can be challenging. If you create a line of four of the same crystal, you must take another turn. Do this at the right time and you could find yourself collecting the crystals that bring you closer to victory.

With an advanced variant that has unforgiving consequences and rewards perfect timing, Crystallia will have you asking yourself: do you have what it takes to navigate the Board of Opportunity?

—description from the designer