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Monumental box art

Monumental

Game ID: GID0216769
Collection Status
Description

In Monumental, each player will control a civilization that will evolve through his city: a grid of 3x3 cards (coming out from the player's starting civilization deck) that can each be activated to gather various resources such as Science, Military, Production, Culture, and Gold that will allow them to trigger many actions. But there’s a trick: one cannot activate all their cards at once, which means that tough choices will have to be made each turn in order to select the cards that are the most needed.

The resources gathered from the activated city cards will allow the players to acquire cards from a common pool, allowing them to get improved buildings, technologies, wonders, etc. and therefore to leverage their civilization deck to new heights through more and more efficient card combos. As the common pool of cards progresses (either as players have acquired cards or because they didn't - which leads to one card from the pool to be discarded per turn), the game progresses through eras. Medieval cards are better than classical cards, and industrial cards are even better, but of course those cards are more and more expensive to acquire.

A modular board, at the center of the table, holds each civilization's army. The board is made of Provinces to be conquered. Unoccupied Province's inhabitants are barbarians who will provide resources to the player who defeats them. Holding a conquered province also brings victory points.

The player with the most impressive civilization at the end of the game will be remembered for all time (and they also win the game!).

—description based on the publisher's

Year Published
2020
Transcript Analysis
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 7
This page: 7
Sentiment: pos 2 · mix 2 · neu 2 · neg 1
Mentions per page
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Showing 1–7 of 7
Video TKxyGOCDVCg Jest Road analysis at 2:10 sentiment: negative
video_pk 50963 · mention_pk 139904
Jest Road - Monumental video thumbnail
Click to watch at 2:10 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
negative
Pros
  • Minis look nice on the table
  • Continuous mode reduces downtime
  • Core box option added for new backers
Cons
  • Massive delays and communication issues
  • Token version missing and retail confusion
  • Lack of visible production progress and updates
  • Funds used for other campaigns and mismanagement
Thematic elements
  • Civilization development, exploration, conquest, and mythic elements
  • Ancient Africa-inspired civilizations in a mythic world, 4X-style empire-building
  • Deck-driven action selection with modular factions and minis
Comparison games
  • Alien Frontiers
  • Namiji
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • 4X mechanics (Explore, Expand, Exploit, Exterminate) — Players expand influence, explore the map, harvest resources, and contend for dominance.
  • Asymmetric Mechanics — Different races/factions from Africa with unique abilities.
  • asymmetric/factional mechanics — Different races/factions from Africa with unique abilities.
  • continuous action mode — An alternative turn structure where each player takes one action per round to reduce downtime.
  • Deck building — Cards are used to perform actions and generate resources; progression through combinations.
  • deck-building — Cards are used to perform actions and generate resources; progression through combinations.
  • minis and tiles — Miniatures on a map with markers for navigation and planning; table presence.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • the greatest update in Kickstarter history is coming in just nine months
  • this is clearly just an excuse but I must say as far as excuses go this is hilarious
  • we won't be able to send both namiji and Monumental at the same time
  • don't be a dick
  • mistruths that they tell
  • stop blocking people on social media
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video UZbvDGWHItA Just the Rogue top_10_list at 3:25 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 31816 · mention_pk 93774
Just the Rogue - Monumental video thumbnail
Click to watch at 3:25 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
  • Beautiful components and tactile feel
  • Clever action compression keeps rounds moving
Cons
  • Mishandled second Kickstarter and production delays
  • A bit fiddly and crowded visually on the board
Thematic elements
  • civilization-building with grid-based city development
  • ancient-to-classical civs with leaders and cultural development
  • tableau-building with strategic action selection
Comparison games
  • Trains
  • Slay the Spire
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • action selection — players choose and execute a single line of actions per turn
  • city-building grid — cards slot into a 3x3 grid to activate buildings and effects
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • I'm Rob from just the road.com and these are my top 10 debt building games.
  • Let's redo the countdown with a wider definition and some new discoveries from the last 5 years.
  • Fingers crossed for a 15th anniversary big box in 2027.
  • In Trains, you take the classic deck building formula and drop it onto a map of Japan.
  • Undaunted Stalingrad is a two-player storydriven campaign game that blends tactical combat with smart debt building.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video f4Rn58MPSw4 Board Stupid News general_discussion at 0:46 sentiment: neutral
video_pk 28294 · mention_pk 83001
Board Stupid News - Monumental video thumbnail
Click to watch at 0:46 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • Origins records the highest attendance
  • the delayed Monumental Kickstarter
  • the word meeple is being trademarked in the United States
  • we cover the hotness for July 2024
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video _pXKWgDJNbg The Brothers Murf top_10_list at 8:23 sentiment: positive
video_pk 13812 · mention_pk 40326
The Brothers Murf - Monumental video thumbnail
Click to watch at 8:23 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Innovative activation mechanism (activate a row and a column)
  • Multiple nations with distinct flavor and strategic depth
Cons
  • Deck-building focus may feel repetitive for some players
  • Component quality and minis are appealing but may vary by edition
Thematic elements
  • classic civ feel with modern deck-building twists
  • Nations and civilizations through iconic wonders and deck-building elements.
  • deck-building tableau with activation strategies
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Area Control — Explore factions and technologies across a map-like tableau for strategic advantages.
  • area control/expansion — Explore factions and technologies across a map-like tableau for strategic advantages.
  • Deck building — Construct and activate rows/columns from a nine-card tableau to gain effects.
  • deck-building — Construct and activate rows/columns from a nine-card tableau to gain effects.
  • set-collection/activation — Choose which cards to activate to optimize combos and resource gains.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • We absolutely adore this game. It's super super fun.
  • the big Mayan calendar in the middle
  • you can place a worker on the symbol that matches the god card.
  • This is a big deck building game where you are going to have a different nation.
  • Every game I feel like is a little bit different because the board map will change.
  • Civolution is very good.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video cl3a1WZvJtE Going Analog top_10_list at 16:45 sentiment: positive
video_pk 10917 · mention_pk 32149
Going Analog - Monumental video thumbnail
Click to watch at 16:45 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Innovative 3x3 grid mechanic
  • Streamlined combat compared to other 4X-like titles
  • Factions and expansions add variety
Cons
  • Lengthy at 4 players (2.5–3 hours)
  • Still catches some players off-guard with the depth and pacing
Thematic elements
  • Civilization progression and territorial control
  • Civilization-building with wonders and tech themes
  • Euro-heavy civilization-building
Comparison games
  • Civilization (board game)
  • 4X style games
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Deck-building with 3x3 tableau — Your cards are laid into a 3x3 grid; you trigger a row and a column to activate all cards in that line.
  • Factions with unique powers — Different factions provide distinct cards and powers; expansions increase diversity.
  • Row/Column activation — Strategic activation of multiple cards at once to gain effects and progress toward goals.
  • Technology and Wonders — A mix of tech upgrades and wonders provide ongoing benefits without clogging the deck.
  • Territory control and combat — Territories are contested with streamlined combat, based on power rather than dice resolution.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • it's not terribly complicated but you get that same feel as more complicated games it's just really elegantly designed
  • the stone thing is so cool it's so weird is because it looks like a limitation and it almost feels initially like oh they didn't really think this through but then totally thought yeah
  • I absolutely love this game but if I had to pick something negative to say I think I've already played it a bunch and I'm starting to be familiar with the deck
  • the 3x3 grid like that alone ... that's a really cool idea of like having to pick which row and which column to trigger
  • it's a contender for my early game of the year
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video ZVbv95bQprE Foster the Meeple general_discussion at 3:35 sentiment: neutral
video_pk 4155 · mention_pk 12175
Foster the Meeple - Monumental video thumbnail
Click to watch at 3:35 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
  • Iconic components and weight
Cons
  • Historically heavy and bulky nature
Thematic elements
  • Construction of lasting structures and achievements
  • Ancient civilizations and monumental building
  • Strategic, heavy-weight Euro
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • set_collection — collect monuments to score and shape engine
  • tile_drafting — draft tiles to assemble monuments
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • hi everybody welcome back to Foster the meele a Channel all about board games and living in chaotic board game mess can you relate please say yes so I don't feel so alone
  • we're never really down here and I don't really care so much what like if there's unevenness don't care long hair don't care short hair don't care
  • it's not happening here so anyways let's get to work
  • people want to see me struggle to do it apparently people find this very relaxing
  • that's everything for today's video
  • stay tuned for that shelf of Shame organizing style video coming very soon
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video HyfZjL2vicM Board Gameco general_discussion at 11:45 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 1834 · mention_pk 5296
Board Gameco - Monumental video thumbnail
Click to watch at 11:45 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
  • Loved when played; decision rule about future play exists
Cons
  • Purged condition if not played within a year
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Tile placement / area control — Strategic placement and tableau-building in a monument-building theme.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • I will not be going through campaign games in this.
  • I want to be more cutthroat than I ever have before.
  • Quad Heroes is going. I hate it. I hate it so much.
  • Monumental. If Monumental is still here in a year and hasn't been played, if next year's Purge, if I haven't played Monumental, it's going to go.
  • Last Light can go. I'm not thinking off the shelf.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
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