KAURI – Conquer the Island in an Asymmetric Strategy Game!
KAURI is a strategic, asymmetric board game with high replayability that brings the historical settlement of New Zealand to life on a beautifully crafted game board with detailed wooden pieces. In this exciting board game, four unique factions with distinct abilities, their own decks of cards, objectives, and gameplay mechanics battle for dominance: the Māori, the Englishman, the Possums, and the Kiwis.
At the heart of the conflict stands the Kauri tree, the island’s iconic symbol—but each faction follows a different strategy and scores points in its own way. The Kiwis must fight for their survival, while the Possums seek to expand their territory. The Englishman will first deforest the land before hunting the Possums, while the Māori build their sacred temples (Whare Nui).
Over five intense rounds, players must strategically play their cards to take control of the island while preventing their opponents from gaining too many points. A game filled with strategy, historical authenticity, and dynamic challenges—will you claim victory?
? Experience KAURI now and shape the future of the island! ?
- beautiful artwork; vibrant board; interesting asymmetric combat
- asymmetric area control
- New Zealand; Maori, kiwis, possums, English
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- asymmetric faction play — each faction has its own powers, deck of cards, objectives and mechanisms; human/animal dynamics
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- I'm incredibly biased and I'm not going to sit here and tell you to back the Kickstarter campaign for this one
- I wrote the rulebooks for all these four games
- distilled two-hour 18nxx experience
- I judge games by their cover; Katamino Tower looks cool
- Clover really surprised me with how much I've enjoyed it
References (from this video)
- most favorite portable solo game ever
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- this one is an abstract game that actually worked pretty well
- oh boy oh boy this is a game I don't have to think about it I I I could even think about giving it lower than a d but I will give it a d now
- the design doesn't work at all it's so specific there's like so much text on the cards it's i' I've I've never seen cards like that
- this is we have the suspicion that this is AI generated or at least some of it uh like what the regarding the rules in the design because wow this is really cumbersome
- it's a solid game this is like a game that is has a cool premise it works very well but it's nothing special but still I keep coming back to it because the Bame Marina implementation is so great
- Kaber of course uh this needs to be an S tier because it's my top three game in both my list solo and general
- Secret identity I will also give an a yeah it works really well
- it's very very tough but I like it it's always fun
- very good Abra game I can just I just recomend can recommend that to pretty much everyone
- Not turn I just reviewed on my channel uh I like this game I will give this a B I think B is fine uh it's a good game it has a very interesting Bing mechanism and a it has a few mechanisms that are very unique
- Missana uh I'm still really torn now that I played the cave of Gins which is really good um I might rank this higher I would also give this a B I don't know this game I think this game like will become even better like when you have more expansions right the base game is okay it's fine probably just a b Toc
- just one srank one of the best party games out there definitely srank uh I always like to pull it out it's one of my most favorite party games
- K grip also clear srank let me just put it up here clear srank game is one of my most most favorite portable solo games ever
- Kites Kites I will give a H A or B uh it's a very good game but I think I will give it a b it's also like a fun time you play like one two three four games and then you're over it and then you don't want to play it for a few weeks right at least that's how I feel but every time I pull it out it's very very fun I like it
- fun facts also clear S rank I like this a little bit more than just one uh but they're both incredible party games so definitely also S rank
- belati um a game that is not very well known I think internationally but a very cool deduction party game I also have to give this an S it's always a fun time like really really fun party games
References (from this video)
- LGBTQ designer spotlight
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- This has debuted last year at Essence, so it's making its way through to North America.
- This is a great game. Uh definitely suggest that you pick this one up if you have the space for it because it is quite a large game.
- Drag queen at their booth.
- stay safe, and we'll see you next time.
References (from this video)
- Rich thematic flavor
- Interesting rondel mechanic
- Gaudi-inspired architecture and design
- Catalan themed
- Barcelona
- Arboria
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- point_type_balance — Balancing three types of points.
- Rondel — Action selection via a heaven/hell style rondel.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- "This is our anticipated holiday before our anticipated game."
- "I'm very excited. Like it's going to be great great great games, I think."
- "it's based on the Imperium fantasy book series"
References (from this video)
- Intriguing how they will replicate Gaudi's architecture
- Rondel system is enjoyable
- Nice interesting peaceful production
- Eurogame style is appealing
- Could be similar to White Castle with very limited action.
- Gaudi's architecture
- Barcelona
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Action Point Allowance — Everything is done in three rounds and the rounds will finish when all the players will will finish their circle around the chandelier. It doesn't sound too long, but it could be something more toward the White Castle where you got very limited action.
- Rondel — Has a rondel system, which we very much love being around the central cathedral chandelier to do different actions, draw cards, get tiles, etc.
- Set Collection — Fulfilling requirements by collecting mosaic pieces represented by cards.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- This is the game of the show so far on the all the previews.
- It's chaotic by in a very good way.
- The new artwork is absolutely beautiful. I find like it looks unreal.
- You are competing to create the best yearbook essentially.
- Each one of the gods will have different powers, will have specific like asymmetric power.
References (from this video)
- Excited about this one
- Antoni Gaudí's architecture
- Barcelona (Casa Batlló)
- Theme inspired by visual elements
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- action selection — The Rondel is the primary mechanism for action selection.
- Rondel — Used for action selection, where moving further allows for more actions but potentially incurs costs.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- I think you're absolutely brilliant.
- That's the beautiful part about that the frustration mechanic where you overcome the frustration.
- It's not that I'm working on so many at once. It's probably that I go very quick since I had an idea in until it's ready to show to a publisher.
- I'm kind of obsessed on trying to do new things on every game.
- I get really bored if I have to repeat the same thing.
- It's not just doing the game, it's also sharing something I'm I'm passionate about.
- I don't want confrontation? So most dual games what they do is they when you do something you may attack the other or you may remove something from the other here when whenever you do something you're giving something to the other player.
- You have to know that it's a bit heavier than usual, but I think it creates something that's quite unique.
- So what you do in the past with that civilization will dictate the options you have in the future.
- Whenever you do something you're giving something to the other player.
- If you'd like to help find a cure for this incredibly devastating disease, links are down below with where you can donate.
- My current love is Voyage Puzzle and the best piece of art I think that you've created is coming of age.
References (from this video)
- Dani Garcia game.
- Devir game.
- Looks a little bit lighter.
- Spectacular visual look.
- Devir continues to do really cool games.
- Paired with Danny Garcia, curious what it will be like.
- Curious about the weight, as Danny Garcia's games are often heavy.
- Vinhos
- Puzzle
- Barcelona
- Windmill Valley
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- action selection — where you'll be working around this chandelier in the center and where you stop you're going to take a variety of actions.
- Tile Placement — There's a tile placement element in it
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- So, we have two more games to talk Oh, wait, no. I guess four more games to talk about because two to buy and two to demo. Wait, one more to demo, two buy. Oops, silly little figured.
- You're going to play and you're going to instantly get hungry cuz all the unique illustrations and of all the little treats are just
- This is a The Lord of the Rings. The Lord of the Rings and it is a roll and write. It is a roll and write.
- I understand the game being like very much you're playing the person on your right and you're playing the person on your left. You're taking the role of like the good and the bad in this game to uh go on against the opposite on the right and the opposite on the left and I think there's a lot of interactions that go on, a lot of communication that will have to happen around the table to make sure that the turns are flowing.
- I'm a huge fan of Sashi and Sashi and they will be debuting to move Railway Porters at UKGE.
- It is by Taiki Shinzawa and it's a trick taking game where every player has a condition that they must follow in their trick taking. But every condition is different.
References (from this video)
- New Deveilla one that's going to be big
- Looked quite nice from a distance
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- We played Return to Dark Tower because we decided to pick another massive game.
- So, Sunday is always the day we take the kids. It's a little bit more chilled.
- I feel like more people took care of their hygiene.
- The artwork is beautiful, especially on those foily ones. Really nice.
- It was a truth or dare game.
- The main problem is the Shop and Drop boxes are small and board game boxes are not small.
- It's like Christmas. It's going to be like this. It's going to be amazing.
- It's clear that UKGE isn't the one for new releases because new releases of Gen Con and Essen.
References (from this video)
- nice short game
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Good morning, everybody. Welcome to the Dice Tower as we are here at All Boards Convention in the Philippines.
- Uh if my voice seems a little off, it's because, well, I'm losing it, unfortunately.
- Hey, I had a chance before the con started here to play Gaudi from Devir.
- All right, it's the end of our VIP meet-up here and uh yeah, it's almost over.
- So, here we are day two in the main hall. It is 12:30 and definitely more people are here, more crowds.
- I keep coming back to this game, Sea Divers of Jeju.
- Here they're playing giant folding against the designer.
- This is the battle of the century.
- All right, that was fun. Johan said he wasn't pulling punches, but I don't know.
- So, this is actually pretty cool. Right outside the convention center we have a bunch of people stands selling foods and drinks and local stuff.
- Look how carefully Emerson is.
- It's time for one of the most beloved Dice Tower traditions.
- And the best part, the questions for tonight were personally prepared BY NO OTHER THAN TOM VASEL HIMSELF.
- So, this is the end of another day almost.
- They definitely keep me busy here. Lots of things to do, lots of people to see.
- Until next time now, I'm Tom Vasel and you've been watching The Dice Tower all the way here from the Philippines.
- If you like our videos, if you like our channel, you would love to game with us at one of our conventions.
References (from this video)
- beautiful art and weighty, medium-weight feel
- interesting three-track scoring with balance mechanics
- thematic depth may not appeal to everyone
- weight may be borderline for casual players
- Three scoring tracks reflecting architecture, nature, religion
- Mountainous Barcelona influence with Gaudí-inspired architecture
- Tableau-building with a balance-optimization puzzle
- Barcelona (designer lineage), other medium-weight euro
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- card tableau / tile drafting — play cards to build a tableau across three scoring tracks
- Compound Scoring — score two lowest tracks to determine final score
- multi-track scoring with minimums — score two lowest tracks to determine final score
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Our mission on the channel is to be beacons of light. Positive vibes, proof of good vibes.
- This year was weird and a little disappointing, but we love what we do and we wouldn't change a thing.
- We're going for 75K subscribers and we're going to give it our darnest.
- The year of hobbies — woodworking, disc golf, jam and canning — kept us sane.
- Let's go to France. This is one of those series games where I want to play them all.
References (from this video)
- stunning art direction
- solid tile-placement engine
- appealing biographical theme tied to Gaudí's life and works
- unclear weight for new designer; may be approachable yet deep
- architecture, urban planning, artistry
- Barcelona, architectural milieu inspired by Antoni Gaudí
- historical/biographical with a focus on artistic achievement
- Arbaria
- Barcelona
- Windmill Valley
- Dtoshi
- Coming of Age
- The Voicings puzzle
- Spectaculum
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Rondel — players move around a central hub to select actions, simulating a shared workshop rhythm
- round-robin action selection around a central chandelier — players move around a central hub to select actions, simulating a shared workshop rhythm
- Tile Placement — players place tiles to construct a mosaic-like representation on their personal boards, shaping the imagined Gaudí-inspired works
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Brass Birmingham is my favorite game ever.
- Spectaculum was a bit of a cult classic, although it did have some flaws.
- Two new tracks will have different mechanics; desert heat and gravels on the pavement, so you need to be careful what to do with your car.
- I really like sort of air aviation themes in game. I always find the industry really fascinating.
- More heat, more goodies.