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Description
Palm Island is a portable game that you can take with you anywhere. Sitting, standing, waiting, riding, flying, relaxing, alone, or together you can play Palm Island no table required.
Using a deck transforming mechanic a player uses just 17 cards over 8 rounds to shape their island and overcome its unique challenges. Store resources to pay for upgrades and upgrade buildings to access new abilities. Each decision you make will alter your village from round to round. At the end of 8 rounds calculate your victory points.
PLAY SOLO working to gain achievements and unlock new abilities to help your village reach even greater heights. PLAY COOPERATIVELY by working together to successfully prepare your village before natural disasters strike. PLAY COMPETITIVELY by racing to purchase bonuses, or in casual mode by meeting specific criteria before your opponent.
Add villagers to any game mode that you may recruit to your village and use their abilities to score more points than your opponent.
The game comes with 2 player decks, competitive cards, cooperative cards and solo feat cards. Multiple games can be combined to add even more players.
—description from the publisher
Year Published
2018
Featured Videos
Transcript Analysis
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 11
This page: 11
Sentiment:
pos 10 ·
mix 0 ·
neu 0 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–11 of 11
Video n1yhIZTf5Xs
The Hunger Gamer game_review at 0:09 sentiment: positive
video_pk 62424 · mention_pk 154949
Click to watch at 0:09 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Excellent faction variety with distinct powers and strategies
- Thematic integration of crisis management with zombie/horror elements
- High replayability due to asymmetric factions and variable setup
- Thrilling escalation and tense late-game push-pull dynamics
Cons
- Very long play sessions and significant setup time
- Heavy amount of fiddly bits and table space requirements
- Zombies/theme may not appeal to all players
Thematic elements
- Crisis management and evacuation under a rapidly escalating outbreak, with a historical and fictional horror blend.
- Plum Island, a fictional island with biohazard labs and zombie-like horrors escaping into the environment.
- Asymmetrical faction play within a cooperative-leaning crisis scenario, driven by event cards, doom tokens, and biohazard management.
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Action Following — Factions can take follow actions after a main turn, moving, attacking, or drawing extra cards, adding tension and interaction.
- action_phases — Three action phases per day per faction, with actions increasing across the day (1, then 2, then 3) and fatigue affecting later rounds.
- Asymmetric Mechanics — Each faction has a unique board, special abilities, movement, admin rating, and combat dice, creating varied playstyles.
- biohazard_tracking — A biohazard level determines horror spawns; cubes track damage to citizens and factions, feeding into a bag mechanic that adds risk.
- citizen_evacuation — Citizens must be moved to evacuation points (helicopters or ships) for victory points; evacuation is the primary win condition.
- combat_system — Close combat and ranged combat use dice, with hits, defenses, crits, and potential for additional effects; damage interacts with biohazard progression.
- faction_asymmetry — Each faction has a unique board, special abilities, movement, admin rating, and combat dice, creating varied playstyles.
- follow_actions — Factions can take follow actions after a main turn, moving, attacking, or drawing extra cards, adding tension and interaction.
- horror_spawns — Doom tokens draw event cards that spawn horrors and trigger track activations, increasing pressure as the game progresses.
- night_phase — Every three rounds, a night phase increases horror movement and necessitates extra resource management.
- Variable Phase Order — Every three rounds, a night phase increases horror movement and necessitates extra resource management.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- this is a crisis management meets Tower Defense Style game
- I love the different factions and I love that none of the factions are heroes
- the intensity of the game really scales
- I always feel like I can win
- it's a long game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video -1Zg22YPLpk
Discriminating Gamer game_review at 0:16 sentiment: positive
video_pk 27860 · mention_pk 81349
Click to watch at 0:16 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Adds more factions, cards, and interactions that extend the base experience
- New mechanics interlock well with existing systems
- Scenario variety and optional modes increase replayability
- Maintains the game's humorous, less-than-serious vibe while delivering a solid puzzle
Cons
- Does not radically overhaul the base game
- Some optional rules can significantly raise difficulty
- Not a standalone game; requires the base Plum Island
Thematic elements
- cooperative horror with dark humor and pulp flavor
- Quarantined island with survivors and horrors, a cooperative puzzle-driven scenario space
- flavor text, humorous tone, puzzle-oriented progression
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Cooperative Game — Players collaborate to manage threats, progress scenarios, and evacuate civilians
- cooperative play — Players collaborate to manage threats, progress scenarios, and evacuate civilians
- Events — New decks drive random events, discoveries, and game-state changes
- fate/event/search cards — New decks drive random events, discoveries, and game-state changes
- horde stacks and alpha horror tokens — Hordes can be modified by alpha tokens to increase challenge and dynamics
- Mutations — New mutation threats (grizzly bear, moto monster, cockroaches) add variety and danger
- optional nightmare/alarming modes — Rules to raise difficulty and tension for a scarier playthrough
- scenarios with unique victory conditions — Different scenarios change objectives and end-game scoring
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This expansion, as I say, does what good expansions often do, and that is they give you more of a good thing.
- Plum Island Horror is a great cooperative horror game, and it's what I like about it is it's a great cooperative horror game that doesn't take itself too seriously.
- As an expansion, it's a nine on the Cody scale.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 89zqKs9TtvI
List Davidson's Gaming Channel top_200_list at 35:59 sentiment: positive
video_pk 12621 · mention_pk 36835
Click to watch at 35:59 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Resource management on a palm island
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Thunderbolt Apache Leader has sadly dropped to 199 on this list.
- John Company solo is great.
- Mr President is the biggest table hog—it's like one of the most ridiculous but like in an awesome way games I have ever seen.
- Paperback Adventures jumped up 560 spots this year.
- Pavlov's House changed the course of my videos and my gaming habits.
- Earth is going to rise up next year.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 2LmEmNInNzE
top_10_list at 21:36 sentiment: positive
video_pk 12367 · mention_pk 36109
Click to watch at 21:36 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- One of the best travel staples due to extreme portability
- Very lightweight rules with satisfying decision space
Cons
- Plastic version recommended for durability; components may wear with travel
- A few players may crave more depth than the ultra-light experience offers
Thematic elements
- hand-management in a tiny, personal island setting
- tropical island survival micro-game
- in-hand play with a strong focus on simplicity and elegance
Comparison games
- Maiden's Quest
- Dragon's of Legend Stone
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- hand_management — All actions are conducted from hand, keeping everything compact and on-the-go.
- progress_tracking — The game tracks progress via hand and discard interactions without a full board.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This is a hand management deck uh possibly hand management deck where you're trying to go through all the Jacks queens and kings.
- basically this is a roll and write, uh like an extra a third game that you could include in the Box
- my number one portable travel game
- this is the original package it comes in but it doesn't fit the cards sleeved
- Palm Island definitely one of the best travel games you can buy
- this is a wallet game I think it's a pretty nice experience
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video LTGGMJpBU9E
Unknown Channel general_discussion at 25:43 sentiment: positive
video_pk 10562 · mention_pk 31092
Click to watch at 25:43 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Tiny footprint with big gameplay
- Versatile (solo, coop, and competitive modes)
- Elegant use of multi-use cards
Cons
- Can feel solitary; some players prefer more direct interaction
- Rule complexity can arise when teaching new players
Thematic elements
- resource management and development
- hand-held island village development
Comparison games
- Friday
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- hand management / multi-use cards — Cards are used in multiple ways (side/back/front) to upgrade structures and generate resources from a palm-held deck.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- flattening inserts and packing things within games
- rollerblades takes up one side of the inner suitcase
- you have some tips for Gen Con then some tips
- this is Sea Salt and Paper a tiny little cartoon
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video K7eSJXe9Hzk
Beyond Soliter top_200_list at 21:50 sentiment: positive
video_pk 10083 · mention_pk 29684
Click to watch at 21:50 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- high replayability on couch/iPad-like setups
- compact footprint makes it accessible
Cons
- not always recognized in top lists despite strong solo play
- some players seek more depth in longer experiences
Thematic elements
- hand-management with strict win/lose conditions
- island microgame
- short, scenario-based progression
Comparison games
- Deck-building microgames
- Single-player island-management games
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- hand management — players manage a small set of cards to achieve goals
- scenario-based play — multiple scenarios with win/lose conditions
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Turning Machine solo is so much fun; there’s something nice about doing a puzzle next to another person.
- The seven Citadel ... is a top game for me this year probably a top game of all time.
- Nemesis is one of the most epic climatic experiences that existed out there for solo epicness.
- Ash’s reborn popping up so high … I’m becoming quite fond of that game.
- Halls of Hegra is an excellent excellent like kind of historical Siege game.
- Great Western Trail second edition came packaged with a solo mode that used to be a fan solo mode.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 4xDR52f3ghs
Board Game Coffee general_discussion at 7:32 sentiment: positive
video_pk 9752 · mention_pk 28791
Click to watch at 7:32 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Great artwork
- Very light and easy to learn
- Portable and box is appealing
Cons
- Some players may want more depth
Thematic elements
- light, fast, quick-play card game
- island hideaway with portable, casual vibes
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- hand-management — Players manage their hand to maximize trick-taking and scoring opportunities.
- Trick-taking — Players play a card each round; the highest card wins the trick, with cards contributing to overall strategy.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- we are giving away over 50 games across those 24 episodes
- the description is where we will post the winners, never in the comments
- Concordia is a must-have, it's easy to learn but has amazing depth
- this is a gorgeous prototype, they did a great job
- it's easy to get into and has depth—Deserved of our boarding coffee seal of approval
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video GIBNq6AuHCg
Unknown Channel top_10_list at 23:28 sentiment: positive
video_pk 9448 · mention_pk 27911
Click to watch at 23:28 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Playable anywhere without a table
- Extremely portable and quick sessions
Cons
- Simple, may feel light for some players
Thematic elements
- Resource management and hand-management puzzle
- Isolated island with handheld, portable play
- Pure solitaire with portable, bite-sized play
Comparison games
- Love Letter (portability vibes)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Hand-management with rotating/flipping cards — Play through rounds entirely in hand, rotating/upgrading cards
- Two copies in box and a wallet-style carrying version — On-the-go play with a portable setup
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's very thematic, basically a gamification of the process of creating a character in DND
- the AI opponent is very smooth and doesn't take a lot of upkeep
- it's one page front and back, that's it very, very simple rules
- this is known as a raw and ripe game and it's a pretty beloved genre
- the universe games come with mini expansion modules that add replayability
- an 18-card masterpiece
- print this right here to turn it into a flip and ride game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video gNutufJOv4Q
Board Game Coffee collection_showcase at 0:00 sentiment: other
video_pk 4630 · mention_pk 13571
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
unknown
Pros
- playable in hand
- standing play possible
- portable
- waterproof cards
Cons
- never fully played
- learning interrupted by labor
Thematic elements
- island_management
- exploration
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's the Grand Puba of like Gateway Games it's how you get your people from your Monopoly people in to playing everything else that we play
- it's so good that we're giving it the board game coffee seal of approval
- Catan hasn't played a big part in my board game history - Marvel Legendary and Pandemic got me into the hobby
- I think you're gonna like this [about Taverns of Tiefenthal] and then she played and played like three times back to back
- it's weird how I can like a game so much and forget so much about how it plays
- they're so freaking clever they're so cool [about Exit Games]
- I don't think I've a game has ever made me feel as stupid as these games
- dice Throne is a fun battle Yahtzee
- if people like Ticket to Ride and they're looking for something a little bit more complicated... I think this is like the upgrade
- everybody always talked about gunshot clever I had no interest and then... I played this and I was like gunshot clever is so good
- you have to trust the people you're with because it's blind [Quacks of Quedlinburg]
- we're all just happy Canadian people just hugging each other saying sorry apologizing all the time and drinking coffee and donuts
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video XfpL8vNVAgE
Unknown Channel top_20_list at 33:45 sentiment: positive
video_pk 4298 · mention_pk 12544
Click to watch at 33:45 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- pure solo game with high portability
- deluxe plastic cards recommended for durability
- strong travel staple
Cons
- deluxe version adds cost
Thematic elements
- resource rotation and card-buying in a compact system
- hand-held island management
- evolving kingdom through hand-held action
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- hand-held progression — the entire game unfolds without a table, ideal for travel
- resource rotation — rotate cards to generate resources and upgrade cards
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Desolate is still my number one.
- This is a solo only game. No multiplayer with solo mode.
- There’s no better choice than Mike Lambo's solitary war game books.
- Jump Drive is a tableau building in its purest form.
- Cartographers, one of the best games in the verb and write genre.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 8ifbatuMWfk
One Player Guild top_20_list at 17:19 sentiment: positive
video_pk 3121 · mention_pk 9159
Click to watch at 17:19 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- incredibly portable; a handful of cards create varied puzzles
- great puzzle design
Cons
- replayability hinges on shuffle and puzzle variety
Thematic elements
- hand-management/pocket game
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- hand management — deploy a small deck; self-contained puzzles in a portable format
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's one of the most beloved solo board games out there
- this is a wonderful engine builder
- a game that you can take anywhere
- the rule book was perfect in my opinion
- one hell of a title by chip theory games
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
Showing 1–11 of 11