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Learn to Coexist with Kingdom Crossing, Propeller Islands, and Believe in Me! (Please) | BoardGameGeek News

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by W. Eric Martin

▪️ French publisher Sorry We Are French has a new game from Marco Canetta and Stefania Niccolini due out at SPIEL Essen 25 that’s much cuter than their previous releases. Here’s an overview of the 1-4 player game Kingdom Crossing:

In a faraway land in the midst of a verdant forest crossed by the Crystal River lies the small kingdom of Brightspring, ruled by the wise Queen Beavery, who is facing a problem: Her four regions are separated by seven bridges, and to divide her time evenly between the subjects of these regions, the kingdom would need an eighth bridge…

Help the Queen build a new bridge! Scour the kingdom, recruit the best artisans, gather construction resources, and create magnificent decorations. Note, however, that you can never use the same bridge more than once in the same day.

Kingdom Crossing is inspired by the problem of the “Seven Bridges of Königsberg”, and gameplay combines engine-building and programming mechanisms, with a solo mode that features an Automa and four difficulty levels.





Queen Beavery?! Wow, it’s like her parents didn’t even care to give her a real name….although perhaps that’s a family name passed through the generations and I’m crapping on her honorable traditions. I’d investigate to find out, but she’s a beaver, so she probably lacks an email account.

▪️ Should you care to compare games in which animals build stuff, another option will be Propeller Islands, a 2-4 player game from Stan Kordonskiy and Queen Games:

Imagine a realm where adorable and clever animals live in harmony, crafting mechanical islands with an array of whirring gears, spinning propellers, and gleaming steel. This is the world of Propeller Islands, a cheerful board game that invites you to become island architects, harnessing the power of energy crystals to build marvels of wonder and ingenuity.

Each turn, you take dice from a shrinking pool and use them to gain new structures, produce resources, or populate your buildings. The game features a wide variety of buildings, many of which can be upgraded, allowing for countless combinations of island layouts and strategic possibilities. As you build your islands, they can unlock unique and powerful new abilities. You must carefully manage their resources, balance risk and reward, and outwit your opponents to emerge victorious.


▪️ A different type of animal creature awaits players in Believe in Me! (Please), a game from designers Erik Haffner, Henneke Holst, and Cornel Krizsan and German publisher Wyrmgold. Here’s an overview of this SPIEL Essen 25 release:

Believe in Me! (Please) is a satirical strategy game in which 2-4 players embody mischievous, self-proclaimed gods vying for the faith of gullible mortals. Through cunning, persuasion, and divine theatrics, you claim natural phenomena as your miracles to grow your cult and define your godly form by assembling a unique combination of chaotic, serene, or wrathful body parts. Beware of meddlesome heretics, inquisitors, and rival gods, who will stop at nothing to undermine your holy reputation!

With its mix of card-driven mechanisms, worker placement, and over-the-top humor, Believe in Me! (Please) is a battle of wits, strategy, and divine improvisation to see whose cult becomes the world’s ultimate religion. Hallelujah!


▪️ Coexist is a 2-4 player game from designers Karim Joulak and Sylvain Philippon that French publisher Matagot plans to crowdfund in 2025.

Here’s an overview of the setting and gameplay:

Across the globe, numerous species face the threat of total extinction. As the leader of a non-governmental organization, your mission is to preserve as many animal species as possible, ensuring they thrive in their natural habitats. Mobilize your teams of animal caretakers, release animals back into the wild, and provide them a safe haven in your refuge. The reputation of your organization is on the line!

Accessible and highly thematic, Coexist centers on open-drafting and resource-management mechanisms. Releasing animals into the wild earns you points and unlocks special skills, but you need to recognize your limits and avoid overestimating your team’s capabilities. The first player to release five species into the wild triggers the game end, then the player with the most points wins.

All the artwork in the game is created by A-MO, a renowned street artist from Bordeaux known for his distinctive style. His murals can be spotted throughout the city, and Coexist comes with dozens of unique illustrations celebrating the animal world. A portion of the game’s profits will be donated to HISA, an organization dedicated to preserving biodiversity both in France and around the world.



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