Castle Panic

by Fireside Games

• 1-6 player game
• About an hour to play
• Fantasy board game
• Cooperative yet competitive
• Addictively fun

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 2.5 x 10.5 inches ; 2.1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Origin: China
• ASIN: B002IUFSPM
• Item model number: FSD1001
• Manufacturer recommended age: 10 years and up
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,182 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
  • #75 in Toys & Games > Games > Board Games
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (154 customer reviews)

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

In Castle Panic players must work together to defend their castle, in the center of the board, from monsters that attack out of the forest, at the edges of the board. Players trade cards, hit and slay monsters, and plan strategies together to keep their castle towers intact. The players either win or lose together, but only the player with the most victory points is declared the Master Slayer.

Product Description

In Castle Panic players must work together to defend their castle, in the center of the board, from monsters that attack out of the forest, at the edges of the board. Players trade cards, hit and slay monsters, and plan strategies together to keep their castle towers intact. The players either win or lose together, but only the player with the most victory points is declared the Master Slayer.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

196 of 201 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Hold the line boys - our castle is under attack! December 16, 2009

By Trent Howell

Format:Toy

Durability: 5.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 3.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

Length: 4:08 Mins

Fantastic family game!
It's a fun, lighthearted game that doesn't involve a lot of set up, let's you work together, and involves slaying crazed monsters - what's not to love.

We really like co-operative games in our family and with Castle Panic we never feel like one person is directing the whole effort with the others just going along. Everyone is in it together and can really make their own choices. And it's even great fun when we lose.

And even though the game says ages 10+, everyone down to our 6 year old loves it.
Games play out in under an hour, and turns go quickly so no one sits around waiting. Time flies by when you're defending from incessant monster attacks.

80 of 82 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Family Game Night Just Got Better! October 13, 2009

By M. A. Prieto

Format:Toy

Durability: 5.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 5.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

(Setting: a demo at a game store with designer Justin De Witt)

Clues you've got an exciting game: 1. Your oldest and "too-cool" daughter runs mid-game to you and whispers in your ear: "Mom, we HAVE to have this game for my slumber party Friday night!"; 2: Your middle child, who is typically quiet, is a chatterbox the whole time, is cracking game jokes with the designer, and is asking questions about the game design and extraordinary art; and 3: Your 7-year-old boy , who usually can't stay seated for very long, is listening intently to the rules and is biting his nails trying to figure out how he's going to beat those BAD monsters coming out of the forest and is NOT willing to trade that Barbarian card for anything!

This game was so fun because, unlike most other games in which players compete against each other, we had to work together as a family to beat the monsters coming out of the forest. We won game one (Mom was the Master Slayer with the most monsters killed); the monsters won game two.

The "rule" book has clear explanations, big, beautiful pictures, and is very organized. This game is going to be a hit!

134 of 144 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars A Multi-Game Comparison July 20, 2011

By Ade the DBA

Format:Toy|Amazon Verified Purchase

Durability: 4.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 2.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 4.0 out of 5 stars   

Plenty of people have done an admirable job of explaining the games in their reviews, so this is instead an attempt at a comparison between a number of games, the pros and cons of each and which may suit different people best. The games in question are: Carcassonne, Settlers of Catan, Castle Panic, Smallworld, and Forbidden Island.

We have had Settlers of Catan and Carcassonne (with a number of expansion packs) for quite a few years now, and only recently added the other games above. We usually either play just as two adults, or with our two older children (age 9 and 8), and so our conclusions are based on how these games work in those settings. So here's what we've found:

Settlers of Catan
We got this around the same time as Carcassonne and initially just didn't latch onto it. Partly it's that it's supposed to be 3 players or more, and we often play as just two of us. Once we found online some instructions for playing as 2 players it came out more often, and as time's gone by it's become fairly 50-50 whether we play Settlers or Carcassonne on a quiet night in. The choice will usually depend on how much we want to think. With Settlers, you're always planning and calculating; with Carcassonne, you're taking it a card at a time.

Who should get it: Settlers is well-known as one of the great modern games. I'm not as sold on it as some people, and it takes quite a while to learn and feel comfortable with, but once you get the hang of it, it is an entertaining and enjoyable addition to a games collection. There are several 2-player rule variations out there if you need them and they work well (we found one that worked for us and we've stuck to it). But this isn't a game for kids; I would suspect not until they're 16 or so.... Amongst other things, I think they'll find it too dull.

Carcassonne
This has been a favorite for years now, and everyone we've played it with has gone off to get it themselves. We usually play without farms because it then becomes less directly competitive and more sociable. Kids can play it, adults can play it, it's relaxed, it's fun and it's simple to learn. Here's one nice thing about it: you don't have to be constantly thinking and planning ahead. You don't know what card you're going to draw next time, so you just play one card at a time. You're encouraged to discuss where to put a card, and since you don't know what piece you're getting next, your comments to another player are usually pretty unbiased.

Who should get it: In my experience, pretty much anyone, except those who want ultra-competitive games. The first few expansion packs are also well worth getting, but don't bother with anything from Mayor onward.

Castle Panic
The kids love this one, again it's simple to learn and it has the added bonus of allowing them to get out their aggressive instincts and go postal on monsters! They don't like the `master slayer' option, but prefer just straight cooperative play. After the first few plays, I've found the basic game is too easy, and so we're experimenting with making it more challenging, such as starting with no walls, or drawing 3 monster cards at a time instead of 2. I think Castle Panic will become a game that we get out pretty regularly to play.

Who should get it: People with kids, who want to play cooperative games. Could be fun as a party game too!

Smallworld
While the kids have enjoyed playing this, I think their interest is starting to wane already. I suspect it will work better as a game with a group of adults, or when the kids are older. It has a lot going for it, especially the creative cards and board, but as others have noted - what's with the box for the tokens? Very poorly designed and adds unnecessary annoyance. Most of the time when playing we've found it's not too directly competitive, it's easier to attack lost tribes or declining races, so generally it doesn't get too personal!

Who should get it: I think this would make a fun addition to a games collection, but I don't think it would be a go-to game, especially with kids. The rules are more complicated to learn and explain than the other games, and this makes it hard to just sit down with new players and get on with a game. Having said that, we've enjoyed playing it , and I think it'll get pulled out every now and then over the years.

Forbidden Island
Although the kids would prefer Castle Panic, when we've played Forbidden Island (at my insistence!) they've thoroughly enjoyed it. As the island starts to collapse in a heap toward the end of the game, the tension levels rise and people are on the edge of their seats! The game always ends with voices rising in pitch and tension as cards get turned over - it's fun! It's a pure cooperative game, and that works well for us as a family - no one feels bad, we're all in it together. We're still using the `Normal' level of play, maybe we'll notch up a level soon!

Who should get it: If you like cooperative games, I think this is excellent to have. I love how easy it is to set different difficulty levels, and it's definitely the game that's had the most excited tension - Castle Panic has this at times, but not sustained (at least as the basic game). It doesn't have the whole monster thing going for it that Castle Panic does, and I think that's why the kids haven't latched onto it so quickly (kill trolls or wander round an island getting treasure - which is your average kid going to choose?) but I suspect that long-term it'll have more staying power. Read more ›

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great fun for all ages October 28, 2009

By Matt

Format:Toy|Amazon Verified Purchase

Durability: 4.0 out of 5 stars    Educational: 4.0 out of 5 stars    Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

Castle Panic is advertised as a relatively light cooperative "tower defense" game, and it fits the bill perfectly. Games can be played with 1-6 people, each game lasts around an hour, and it is very quick and easy to pick up. After opening the box and reading the directions, people can begin playing in 10 or 15 minutes.Don't let the simple rules fool you though, the game is very intense and enjoyable!

The game has lived up to my expectations as a great way to spend time with friends and family; I have been playing with my wife and some friends avidly since the game arrived a few days ago.

The game mechanics are very balanced. I have only lost once out of the seven times I played (it was a solo game), but each victory has been VERY close, with only one or two towers remaining. Another great part of the game is that it is very customizable; rules can be changed here and there to make it easier or harder. For example, you can choose to start the game with no tower walls, draw more monsters each turn, etc.

I really like the cooperative aspect of the game, which seems to be a rarity in the gaming world. Although there is an optional competitive element to the game, where the player with the most monster kills is crowned the "Master Slayer," the main goal of the game is survive, and you either do it through team work, or you all perish together. As the game progresses, and you lose some walls and towers to approaching trolls, goblins, orcs, and special "boss monsters," the action gets very intense. With a hoard of monsters surrounding your castle, the tension of what will happen next becomes palpable.

If you are looking for a unique, light, fun way to spend time with friends and family, don't hesitate, try out Castle Panic!