Staff Pick: Small Fjords

Looking for a game that’s easy to learn, quick to play, and small enough to take almost anywhere? Small Fjords might just be your next favourite little strategy game. Combining simple tile-laying with light area control, it’s the kind of game that can hit the table without needing a long rules explanation - making it perfect for a casual game night, a coffee catch-up, or even a spontaneous game between errands.

This week's Staff Pick: Small Fjords!

Small Game, Big Adventure

"Small Fjords very quickly became my “coffee date game”, being small enough to live in my bag 24/7, and easy enough to teach and play while catching up with a friend at a cafe. I personally like games that are intuitive enough you can kind of figure out the mechanics of a game without a rulebook, as I find these games are very easy to teach. 

• Draw a tile and add it to the island

• If you want, place 1 of your 4 Viking longhouses

• Once all tiles are gone, take turns claiming land tiles with your little Vikings, expanding from your 4 longhouses

And that’s it, whoever claims the most tiles of the island wins. It’s competitive in a mild playful sense, while technically rival kingdoms of little Vikings, I would often find myself expanding the island just because I thought it was making for a prettier coastline, or placing one of my precious few longhouses on a tile that strategically held no value but had a pretty lake in the field in the shape of a heart.

I give credit for this in the art design, mechanically there’s only three differences to the geography on the tiles; grassland - which you are attempting to claim, mountains - which are impassible obstacles, and coastline - water which is your borders. But hidden among the painterly geography of the tiles is fun set dressing, herds of cattle, quaint lakes, silhouettes of marine life, and while they offer no game bonuses we would find ourselves playfully squabbling over the prettiest spots on the island.

It’s a game that feels undaunting, no character cards or equipment with paragraphs of game mechanics to learn for each" - Michael, miniature masterpiece maestro.

Final thoughts

In a world filled with complex and lengthy games, Small Fjords stands out as a charming, easy-to-learn option that fits perfectly into busy lifestyles. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or someone just looking to enjoy a casual afternoon with a friend, this game is sure to bring smiles and laughter.

So, the next time you’re planning a coffee catch-up, consider swinging by Mind Games Melbourne - 145 Swanston Street and grabbing a copy of Small Fjords. It might just become your new favourite game to share with friends!