Winter Queen

About this board game

Winter Queen is an abstract family game for 2–4 players, with plays lasting around 30 minutes. You take the role of a court sorcerer competing to create magical ornaments from enchanted crystals.

In this faraway land, winter never ends. Once each year, the Winter Queen announces a special competition for her sorcerers, offering golden coins in payment for the magical ornaments they create.

On your turn, choose between two fundamental actions. You can place a new crystal onto the board, adding to the developing arrangement, or use crystals that have already been placed to score victory points.

• Place a new enchanted crystal onto the board.
• Use already placed crystals to score victory points.
• Apply the effects of spell books belonging to you and your opponents.

The spell books in play determine how the available crystals can contribute to scoring. Because the scoring possibilities depend on both your own spell books and those of your opponents, every turn presents a choice between extending the board and making use of what is already available.

The competition continues as the sorcerers create their magical ornaments and pursue the Queen’s rewards. At the end, the sorcerer who has collected the most golden coins becomes the Winter Queen’s next advisor.

With its concise playing time, clear turn choices, and abstract crystal-based play, Winter Queen offers a focused family gaming experience for 2–4 players. Released in 2021, it places magical creation and competition at the center of every game.