Snowcrest Board Game Review

Written by Chris Marling

Now don’t get me wrong; I love a good victory point as much as the next gamer. But a look at my favourite games reveals that I much prefer a good race to the finish rather than a set number of turns. Thurn and Taxis, Oracle of Delphi, Race for the Galaxy - even Ticket to Ride to an extent. For me, you just can’t beat that end-game feel that an unclear ending brings to the table.

This is what initially turned me on to Snowcrest.

How to play Snowcrest Board Game

As in Race for the Galaxy, you’re playing until a certain number of scrolls (read: victory points) have been claimed between all the players. As in Race, you’re also tableau-building here, creating a 3x3 grid of cards you’ll use to gather resources and execute actions. When the last scroll is taken you complete the round (still collecting any scrolls you earn) and the player with the most scrolls wins.

On most turns, you’ll either use a card already in your tableau or add a card to your tableau and immediately use it. Using a card flips it face down and when you have a line of three used cards (think tic-tac-toe) you must use your next turn to rest, flipping them back face up and usually gaining a few resources. This enforced miss-a-turn action means everyone keeps an eye on their opponents at all times, especially in a two-player game, as this opportunity can give rise to strong back-to-back turn combos.

The main card actions let you collect resources, buy buildings (used as ongoing resources), or reveal knowledge in one of three ways. Revealing knowledge sees the active player flipping a card from one of three decks. These always take valuable resources from that player, take a lesser amount from all the other players too, but then reward the active player with scrolls and other boons. Each knowledge card deck works differently, requiring either a mini-auction, taking the last of a resource from a shared stock, or a simple resource cost to trigger. Again, timing can be key to success here. 

Snowcrest Game Review

It’s rare for game boxes to be accurate/honest about game length but 45 minutes for a play is spot on for Snowcrest. In fact, with two, a game can be faster with experienced players. This is important to note as the game can be super swingy. If things drop your way at the right time it’s easy to get a crushing victory; but with such a short game time, it is easy to set up and go again. In this way, a spot of bad fortune can quickly be erased in the rematch. But if that’s not your thing, I’d probably suggest giving it a pass.

The Eastern theme of prayer and inner peace comes across well in both the play and the art. I’m not usually a fan of anthropomorphic art, but Kerri Aitken’s illustrations are neither too real nor too cute. The game comes with playmats rather than boards, which will divide opinions, but again the art is gorgeous. Add in clear iconography plus great component quality and you have a game that’s also value for money in the current climate.  

As you may have guessed, I’ve been completely won over by Snowcrest. While the simple rules make the game smooth and accessible, the engine building and card variety keep me coming back for more. It feels genuinely competitive and interactive, mixes up tactics and strategy perfectly, looks great, and doesn’t overstay its welcome. Fans of solo play should also take a look, as it offers a satisfying and simple variant that maintains the speed element without adding annoying AI opponents. 

Should you play Snowcrest?

Yes. It's a fast and competitive tableau builder that is super competitive without ever feeling nasty or mean, which is a tough design position to achieve. You should try it if you liked Race for the Galaxy. While simpler and way lighter on icons, Snowcrest has that genuine competitive race feel as you try to get over the line with the resources the game throws your way.

About Snowcrest

Designer: Philip DuBarry

Publisher: Grail Games

Time: 45 minutes

Players: 1-4

Ages: 14+

Price: £40