Kingdom Death: Monster Board Game Review
Kingdom Death: Monster, designed by Adam Poots and published by Kingdom Death in 2015, stands as one of the most ambitious cooperative board games ever created. This nightmare-themed survival game supports 1-4 players, runs 60-180 minutes per session, and carries a 17+ age rating for good reason. The game combines monster hunting, settlement building, and campaign progression into a sprawling experience that demands serious commitment from its players.
Kingdom Death: Monster Overview
Players control a small settlement of survivors in a world of perpetual darkness. Each campaign spans multiple “Lantern Years,” with survivors hunting terrifying creatures, crafting gear from monster parts, and developing their civilization. Death comes frequently and permanently, making every decision feel meaningful.
The game ranks 87th overall on BoardGameGeek with an 8.5 rating. Its complexity rating of 4.27 out of 5 places it firmly in the heavyweight category.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Designer | Adam Poots |
| Publisher | Kingdom Death |
| Year Released | 2015 |
| Players | 1-4 (5 with variant) |
| Age Range | 17+ |
| Playing Time | 60-180 minutes per session |
| Game Type | Cooperative, Campaign, Horror, Fantasy |
| Complexity Rating | 4.27 / 5 |
What’s in the Kingdom Death: Monster Box
The box weighs over 12 pounds and contains an impressive amount of content. Component quality matches the premium price point, with thick cardstock boards and detailed plastic miniatures.
| Component | Quantity/Details |
|---|---|
| Hardcover Rulebook | 235 pages (11″ x 8.5″) |
| Showdown Board | 2′ x 3′ illustrated game board |
| Hunt/Settlement Board | Double-sided heavy cardstock |
| Game Tokens | 127 tokens across 2 sheets |
| Terrain Tiles | 31 terrain tiles |
| Survivor Gear Grids | 4 heavy cardstock grids |
| Record Sheet Pads | 50 survivor sheets, 50 settlement sheets |
| Dice | 5 black d10s, 1 white d10, 4 hit location d6s, 1 orange Death die |
| Plastic Miniatures | Survivors and monsters (unassembled) |
The miniatures require assembly and benefit from painting, though the game functions perfectly with unpainted figures. Artwork by Zeen Chin, Lokman Lam, and Lorinda Tomko creates a cohesive dark fantasy aesthetic throughout all components.
Kingdom Death: Monster Pros and Cons
Pros
- Deep campaign system that spans 5-30 Lantern Years with branching story events
- Monster AI decks create unique encounters every session, similar to how Gloomhaven handles enemy behavior
- Crafting system rewards careful resource management and long-term planning
- High replay value through randomized events and player choices
- Premium component quality justifies the investment for dedicated groups
- Solo mode works exceptionally well for those who enjoy solo board gaming
Cons
- Retail price around $420 creates a significant barrier to entry
- Steep learning curve requires multiple sessions to grasp all systems
- Graphic content including violence and mature themes limits audience
- Frequent character deaths can frustrate players attached to their survivors
- Full campaign requires 50+ hours of commitment
How to Play Kingdom Death: Monster
Each Lantern Year follows a three-phase structure that forms the core gameplay loop. Sessions typically cover one complete year, though complex showdowns may extend playtime.
The Hunt Phase
Players select a monster to pursue from available quarries. The hunt track presents a series of random events resolved through card draws and choose-your-own-adventure style decisions. Some events reference specific pages in the rulebook, adding narrative depth to each expedition.
The Showdown Phase
Combat takes place on the 2′ x 3′ showdown board with grid-based movement. Monsters use AI decks that determine their actions each turn, scaling across three difficulty levels. Players roll dice to attack specific hit locations on monsters, with critical hits and failures adding drama to every roll.
The gear grid system distinguishes Kingdom Death from simpler dungeon crawlers. Each survivor arranges equipment on a 3×3 grid, with adjacent items creating powerful synergies.
The Settlement Phase
Surviving hunters return with monster resources used for crafting. Players build settlement locations, research innovations, and prepare for future hunts. Story events trigger based on timeline progression and player choices, shaping the settlement’s development across generations.
Where to Buy Kingdom Death: Monster
| Retailer | Notes |
|---|---|
| Kingdom Death Official Store | Primary source for new copies and expansions |
| Amazon | Occasional availability, prices vary |
| Noble Knight Games | New and used copies |
| eBay | Secondary market, verify seller reputation |
| BoardGameGeek Marketplace | Community sales, often includes expansions |
Kingdom Death: Monster Game Mechanics
The monster AI system drives much of the game’s tension. Each creature has unique behavior decks that determine movement and attacks. Players learn monster patterns over multiple encounters, though deck shuffling ensures no two fights play identically.
Resource management extends beyond simple inventory. Survivors gain fighting arts, disorders, and abilities that persist across sessions. Balancing short-term survival against long-term settlement growth creates difficult decisions every phase.
The innovation system functions as a tech tree for your settlement. Researching new innovations unlocks crafting options, settlement bonuses, and story branches. Players who enjoy the strategic depth of civilization games will find familiar satisfaction here.
Who Should Play Kingdom Death: Monster
This game rewards dedicated gaming groups willing to commit to a long campaign. The ideal player count sits at 4, though solo players report excellent experiences controlling multiple survivors.
Fans of dark fantasy themes and tactical combat will find plenty to love. The game shares DNA with roguelikes and survival horror video games, translating those experiences to tabletop format effectively.
Skip Kingdom Death if your group prefers lighter fare or has limited tolerance for character loss. The game intentionally punishes attachment to individual survivors, using death as a storytelling tool rather than a failure state.
Groups seeking a challenging cooperative experience with campaign progression should consider Kingdom Death their endgame purchase. Nothing else on the market matches its combination of scope, difficulty, and thematic commitment.
FAQ
Is Kingdom Death: Monster good for beginners?
No. The complexity rating of 4.27/5 reflects significant learning curves across all systems. New players should expect several sessions before feeling comfortable with rules. The included tutorial helps, but prior experience with complex games benefits players greatly.
How long does a Kingdom Death: Monster campaign take?
A full campaign spans 5-30 Lantern Years depending on chosen content. Each year takes 1.5-5 hours to complete. Most groups report 50-100 hours for a complete campaign, played across many sessions over weeks or months.
What is the best player count for Kingdom Death: Monster?
Four players provides the intended experience, with each person controlling one survivor during showdowns. Solo play works excellently with one player managing all four survivors. Two and three players simply divide survivor control among fewer people.
Is Kingdom Death: Monster worth the price?
For dedicated gaming groups who complete campaigns, the cost per hour of entertainment compares favorably to other hobbies. Casual players or those uncertain about commitment should consider the investment carefully before purchasing.
What games are similar to Kingdom Death: Monster?
Gloomhaven offers similar campaign progression with less graphic content. Darkest Dungeon: The Board Game shares thematic elements and difficulty. Shadows of Brimstone provides monster hunting with less complexity. None match Kingdom Death’s full scope.
