Rolling Realms is a game that was once created purely online. Back in 2020 we mentioned in this post how you could join in and play along with creator Jamey Stegmaier as he created this game for everyone to enjoy together virtually. Rolling Realms was an interesting game to play because you got to watch it grow from the very earliest stages of design. It went through several changes, tweaks, and revisions and now we are excited to review the physical version of Rolling Realms!
How Do You Play Rolling Realms?
Let’s get a quick rundown of how Rolling Realms plays, shall we?
Rolling Realms has three rounds.
During each round, players will all play with the same three Realm cards. After the round ends, those realms are set aside and three new Realm cards are drawn for the next round. In total, players will use 9 unique Realm cards for the game.
Each round plays the same and has nine turns.
To start the turn, the two dice are rolled. Players will use the results to fill in or mark spaces on their Realm cards. Players may not mark both results on the same card and must use each die on a unique Realm.
Marking sections of the card can earn players resources. (Pumpkins, Hearts, Coins, or Stars) These are marked on their resource sheet and can be used during the round to unlock special actions.
Players continue rolling the dice for each turn until the 9th and final turn has completed. Then all players tally their scores, earning points for the number of stars they earned at the bottom of their Realm cards plus a 10th of a point for each resource left on their sheet.
Yes, this means scores can look like 15.7 points for the round. It’s weird but we’ll allow it.
Resources do not carry over to the next round so all players will clear off their resource sheet.
The second and third rounds operate the same.
The player with the highest combined total from all three rounds is the winner of the game.
What Do We Think?
For fans of Stonemaier games, Rolling Realms will be a pleasant gaming experience. Each card perfectly captures the game it represents — it’s almost like you get to play all the games at once! Okay, well maybe not exactly, but in some ways it feels like it! Whenever we play, it makes us want to go grab Tapestry or Viticulture, Wingspan or Between Two Castles!
Each round of Rolling Realms feels like you’re playing three mini games. In some ways it reminded us of Sonora in this respect. Each card is a really nice little puzzle, easy to understand and interpret. The challenge comes from the tricky decisions you have to make. Finding way to best use your dice across the three cards, knowing that, if you plan it out right and with a little luck, you can score big.
This isn’t the type of roll and write game where you can wildly place your numbers on your cards. I love how thoughtful the game can be. Even though each card is a relatively simple game, you’re trying to place your die results wisely so that you can gather as many resources as you can so you can use the dice results to your advantage. You only have 9 rolls each round, so you’ll have to work hard to gather the resources you need to take all the special actions you can to maximize your score.
I’m quite appreciative that everyone uses the same dice results. That means the game comes down to who can place them the best. There will be no “yeah well you had better rolls that I did” with this game. Bless.
Solo Mode!
I love that Rolling Realms comes with a unique solo challenge mode. While you can play the standard game solo, it’s nice that there is something made just for the solo play experience so you aren’t just doing a high score chase.
The solo mode plays like a mini golf game where you’re attempting to play 18 holes. The game can take a while, so you may choose to break it up over a few play sessions.
We wish that the sheet for it would have been laminated. Because it is a paper sheet, you must then provide whatever writing utensil you need since the game only has dry erase markers. This also means that you need to print off extra sheets once you’ve used up the single sheet provided. The file for future print offs is provided.
Over all the solo mode is a nice addition to the game designed specifically for the solo experience.
Who is Rolling Realms For?
Obviously if you are a Stonemaier fan, you are going to find a lot of meta level fun from a game designed entirely around the other games in the Stonemaier catalog. We sure do!
But what if you’ve never played a Stonemaier game before? Can you still enjoy Rolling Realms?
YES!
If you’ve never played a Stonemaier game before, Rolling Realms is still an excellent roll and write to try out! This is a great choice for someone who would like to try a roll and write that has a bit more meat to it without being a complete brain burn. Rolling Realms is also able to be played with the whole family. Our five year old loves joining for a game!
This is also a great roll and write to pick up if you are looking for a game with high replayability. Because the set up is variable, the Realms you play with will create different challenges. Some work better together than others. Some are easier. Some are more challenging. All are interesting and create an addictive puzzle.
Plus when you add in the fact that this is a game they’ll continue to support and create Realm cards for as they continue to publish new games, it’s a win win!
Component Quality
What started as a pandemic print-and-play project has now grown into a fully fleshed out game. Rolling Realms looks fantastic! The card design is beautiful and easy to read, everything erases well without leaving ghost marks, and I can’t say enough good things about the dice.
The dice are perfect. The single best pair of dice I’ve played with in a roll and write. I love how chunky and oversized they are. No matter where you are sitting at the table, you’re able to see what the rolled result it. Why on earth don’t more games use chunky dice?!
The dice also have an excellent weight to them. They feel great to roll and don’t go flying everywhere. Every set of dice is unique and I love the added touch of the hexagon pips. Hexagons are used heavily throughout Stonemaier games up to and including in their logo. A small but impactful design choice.
And while we’re talking components: three cheers for REUSABLE SCORESHEETS! Hip Hip! Hooray!
Paper scoresheets are a constant drawback of roll and write games, especially in our home where we play them a lot — we always laminate a few sheets or else we’d run out.
This is what every roll and write should be trying to do. Whether you prefer it for the sustainable/paper free benefits or the knowledge that you’ll always be able to play your game this is the way to go.
But How are the Markers?
Now with that said, you might be wondering how the markers are. This is a pretty important part of a roll and write after all. Well I’m please to report the markers get a 10/10 from me. I am a highly picky dry erase marker user, (I have two brands that I recommend highly: I swear by these general use markers and my favorite fancy-ultra-fine-tip markers,) the included dry erase pens in Rolling Realms are excellent, do not dry out easily, and erase without leaving a residue on the cards! The eraser fabric they included is also great. It actually erases rather than smudges.
Summary
Rolling Realms is an excellent roll and write experience. It is simple, thoughtful, and feels like a fun stroll through your favorite Stonemaier games.
Rolling Realms is one of the more replayable games — variety of play is literally built into the game’s design. You won’t play the same game twice and will find a unique challenge within each Realm.
From the design to the components, Rolling Realms is a premium roll and write product. And at $20? It’s a steal!
To bring home a copy of Rolling Realms click here.
Find this and all our favorite games on our Amazon Storefront.
A special thank you to our friends at Stonemaier Games for sending us a copy of Rolling Realms for review. As always, our thoughts and opinions are our own.
Game Info:
Title: Rolling Realms
1-6 Players Ages 8+
Designer: Jamey Stegmaier
Artist: Miles Bensky, Marius Petrescu
Publisher: Stonemaier Games
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