Game Info
Year
2027
Players
1-4
Age
12+
Playtime
75 min
Collection
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Description
Competitive open-drafting and penguin-placement game where players rescue as many penguins as possible before the ice melts and must keep families together on their raft
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All mentions
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 7
This page: 7
Sentiment:
pos 5 ·
mix 0 ·
neu 0 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–7 of 7
Video aaGgnKUId5w
Meeple University Discussion at 1:24
video_pk 80686 · mention_pk 197310
Click to watch at 1:24 · YouTube ↗
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)
- After creating some sort of like abomination and then going fishing and then getting such a deep regret and then getting some, you know, burying your personal demon, would you design a game about flowers?
- So, you designed games like The Isle of Cats, Isle of Cat Duel, Isle of Penguins. Have you ever considered a different land mass like peninsula of cats or isthmus of cats?
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video ILwdc0Z3Q_Q
Good Time Society Discussion at 12:45 sentiment: positive
video_pk 80713 · mention_pk 197494
Click to watch at 12:45 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Sequel to the popular Isle of Cats.
- Features cute penguins.
- Expected to be a huge hit.
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Penguins
Comparison games
- Isle of Cats
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Polyominoes — Rescuing cats that are polyominos and placing them into a ship.
- Tile Placement — Placing rescued cats (polyominos) into a ship.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- It synced up with the end of the song and I didn't even do it on purpose.
- Friends, welcome on in to your weekly dose of board games, beverages, and shenanigans. This is Good Morning Society, episode 104.
- I really like it. Especially because it's right there in front of you. It's here. I'm in charge of the squirt bottle now.
- I don't want to brag, but only 50% of people beat the boss in that demo. And I'm one of those 50% up.
- It was great. It was so fun. I got to see a lot of very cool games.
- I think it is such a It's such an improvement on some of uh previous gaming conventions that I've been to.
- No offense to everyone watching, but I think the thing that makes it good is the public's not allowed there.
- I'm a little nervous about Gen Con. I'm going to be honest. Everyone keeps telling me how huge it is and I get a little overwhelmed at big conventions.
- It's a Forex game for folks looking to get into the genre uh through cozy building of a universe.
- They're going to get to they're getting to the X's at this point in the video that are going to be a little hard to make cozy.
- Exploit is not real.
- Penguins are like the cats of birds rule.
- The vibes are north.
- It looks like they're sort of inspired by the art of Mary Blair with what they've been what they're doing in this trailer. Like it's so like watercolor but defined lines.
- So, you're going to go to the different lands. There are two lands and you travel and sometimes you'll pick up your fellow dragons andor humans to help you gather more resources. And the object of the game, of course, is to hoard the most gold
- The way the dragons slot into that track, the way they attach to each other, it seems so satisfying to play.
- It's really simple to learn, but I mean, it's such a cliche. It's difficult to master.
- This game made me so angry and I loved it.
- Now, that's the way to uh sell a game. This game pissed me off so much, I want to play it again.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Mca_NlNQyYI
The Dice Tower News at 27:52 sentiment: positive
video_pk 80715 · mention_pk 197526
Click to watch at 27:52 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Standalone game
- Inspired by Isle of Cats mechanisms
Cons
- Set in a world where animals can't take care of themselves.
Thematic elements
- Animal rescue
- Frozen lands in the north, within the same world as Isle of Cats
- Expedition-based rescue mission
Comparison games
- Isle of Cats
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- action selection — Players travel ice flows, study ancient lessons, and clear rocks.
- open drafting — Players engage in open drafting.
- Penguin placement — Board game involving penguin placement.
- Resource Management — Gathering fish is part of the gameplay.
- Simultaneous Play — Features simultaneous play.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This is the new way they're doing campaigns.
- The core box comes with a three-chapter campaign, and when you buy a campaign, it's just three chapters.
- So, it's a much more like, I guess, approachable, you know, campaign.
- Questline, which is a card drafting game set in their definitely not D&D universe.
- It sounds a little bit like Fantasy Realms.
- This is a new standalone board game set in the same world as Isle of Cats
- Your expedition to the frozen lands in the north has suddenly become a rescue mission and you must rescue as many penguins as possible before the ice melts.
- So, it's an open drafting and penguin placement board game.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video oY75qdEK5UI
BoardGameCo Review at 2:49:04 sentiment: other
video_pk 80534 · mention_pk 196225
Click to watch at 2:49:04 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
Excited
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Penguins
- Isle of Cats universe
Comparison games
- Isle of Cats
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Hey, I'm Alex Rack from Board Game Co.
- And this is News and Weekend Review, where we go over a variety of news pieces, the videos of the week, the games I've played, the uh games we've covered, all of that and more.
- So, if you want to see the games I'm excited about at Origins Game Fair, we'll be figuring that out together.
- I say it together because I haven't actually done any research on this.
- I am fighting against a cat meowing in the background.
- What's the person to do?
- Everyone has the thing that works for them.
- Now that we've learned way too much about what I do to deal with headaches, let's go ahead and talk about the news and weekend review.
- The biggest thing is sail south for the Isle of Penguins.
- I am very excited for this one.
- Anything for new for Harmonies I am intrigued and excited for.
- Harmony is a fantastic game.
- I like the art. I like the art. I like the style.
- It doesn't tell me a lot about the actual gameplay.
- So, I I am intrigued to see how that's actually going to play out, but it's going to come with new protected area boards,
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video RUUjMvZd-wU
BoardGameCo Top List at 26:37:20 sentiment: positive
video_pk 80209 · mention_pk 194830
Click to watch at 26:37:20 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
Positive
Pros
- Adorable artwork
- Interesting placement mechanics for scoring
Cons
- The game is potentially unfinished/in development
Thematic elements
- Penguins
- Island
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Control — Players place penguins in different areas to score points.
- Set Collection — Collecting sets of penguins for scoring.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Number one is these are the upcoming crowdfunding campaigns that I have as of right now.
- The things will change, things get cancelceled, things get added, things get pushed off, all of that will happen.
- I try to focus on those that seem to have the most interest or attention.
- So, this usually is going to be campaigns that have 500 or,000 followers or more.
- And I'll admit artifacts did have that. The problem is like what used to be like, oh my gosh, that's so incredible, that's so cute. That's so great. Now is colored with like that's good, but like is it real though?
- It removes some of the magic and wonder of artwork.
- That said, they do have a specific specific little tag over here saying no AI was used in the making of the game.
- I really I really hate like AI has I have mixed thoughts on AI.
- I think it ruins our sense of wonder.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video E7Z13HqjpEk
Rules Teach at 0:04 sentiment: positive
video_pk 79843 · mention_pk 193405
Click to watch at 0:04 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Simple penguin shapes make it easier to visualize placement compared to complex polyominoes.
- Complex board with obstacles (rocks, eggs) provides a challenging puzzle.
- Fast-paced gameplay due to simultaneous actions.
- Engaging objectives and deep gameplay experience.
- Streamlined play compared to the original Isle of Cats.
- Good family-friendly introductory variant.
- Thematically appealing with adorable penguins.
Cons
- The loss of complex polyomino shapes might be a con for some fans of Isle of Cats.
- The streamlined drafting mechanism might not appeal to players who enjoy intertwined drafting.
Thematic elements
- Rescuing penguins
Comparison games
- Isle of Cats
- Isle of Cats Explore and Draw
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Action Point Allowance — Players spend fish (currency) to perform actions like rescuing penguins.
- Area Control — Players choose areas to rescue penguins from, with limited opportunities in each area.
- Drafting — Players draft cards representing actions or objectives, and also draft penguin tiles.
- Objective Fulfillment — Players score points by completing various objective cards (lessons) throughout the game.
- Race against time — The game has a time limit, with a set number of hours or rounds.
- Set Collection — Players aim to collect sets of penguins of the same color to form families, and collect relics.
- tile laying — Players place penguin tiles onto their raft board.
- Variable player powers — Each player has a unique board layout, and there are special powers and bonuses.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- The puzzle has shifted. Before it was very complex shapes on a very simple board. Now, it's very simple shapes on a hugely complex board.
- This game is really kind of a beautiful blend between the deeper, richer, crunchier aisle of cats... but it has the speed of Explore and Draw.
- For someone like my wife, this is going to be a more compelling experience because she can just throw herself into it and not struggle so much with the having to visualize how will these crazy shapes fit together.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video p7HNNuJeQCs
Playthrough at 0:26 sentiment: positive
video_pk 79845 · mention_pk 193407
Click to watch at 0:26 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Engaging tile-laying puzzle
- Strategic choices in tile placement and card drafting
- Multiple ways to score points (families, protected eggs, removed rocks, lesson cards)
- Bonus triggers add dynamic elements to the game progression
Cons
- Can feel confined on the ice raft
- Risk of running out of resources (fish)
- Potential for suboptimal endgame scoring if initial strategy isn't flexible
Thematic elements
- rescuing penguins and arranging them on an ice raft
- ice flows
Comparison games
- Isle of Cats
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- area control/placement — Covering specific spots on the ice raft (treasure maps, eggs, rocks) triggers bonuses, points, or removal of obstacles.
- Drafting — Players draft lesson cards, penguins, relics, and Everax from ice flows.
- Resource Management — Players spend 'fish' to visit ice flows and acquire items, and gain 'boots' which influence turn order.
- Set Collection — Forming 'families' by connecting three or more penguins of the same color triggers immediate scoring.
- Tile Placement — Players add collected penguins and relics to their ice raft, with the first tile placed anywhere and subsequent tiles placed adjacent to others.
- variable scoring — Lesson cards provide diverse endgame scoring opportunities based on specific board states (e.g., number of families, protected eggs, relics).
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Here's I know about penguins as opposed to cats. Not nearly as bendy.
- No, not nearly as bendy. Very much more bulletshaped in general because that's how they survive in the water. efficiency.
- I was worried when you went here that you were going to take this one, but I was thinking about it, but I didn't have I wasn't I should have taken it to to spite you.
- Um, I worked on it for a while. Um, and fish is not worth anything at the end of the game, huh?
- Wasted a turn taking that one. But hey, at the time I really didn't think I was going to get to six. you're hedging your bets, right?
- Believe in yourself, y'all.
- Forget these lessons, man. It's about the lessons you learn in life.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
Showing 1–7 of 7