The map is too small. That’s not a design flaw, it’s the whole joke. Small World crams too many fantasy races onto too little land and lets them sort it out.
Our Small World premiere
When Small World joined our shelf, we asked our Instagram followers for their favorite expansion or variant. The next day we were looking forward to its premiere. That’s the extent of what we can tell you from our own notes, so this review is on the short side. No padding, promise.
What is Small World?
It’s a fantasy conquest game by Philippe Keyaerts, published by Days of Wonder in 2009 for two to five players, ages 8+. It’s a reworking of his older game Vinci, with a new theme, dice and separate piles of races and powers.
There are four maps, one for each player count, so the board always feels crowded.
How it plays
- Pick a combo. Races (think dwarves, giants, halflings) are randomly paired with special powers (flying, seafaring, berserk). The base game has 14 races and 20 powers. The pair decides how many troops you get.
- Conquer. You spread out and take regions. Most attacks need no dice luck: bring enough troops and the region is yours.
- Decline. When your race runs out of steam, you put it into decline and bring in a fresh one.
That last step is the clever bit. Knowing when to abandon your empire is the real skill, and it’s not a decision most games ask you to make.
Where it shines
The combos are the fun. Every game you’re looking at a new pairing and figuring out where it can do the most damage. Add to that great replay value, quick turns, simple rules with real depth, and sturdy tokens and inserts.
Where it stings
This is a game about taking things from each other. It’s very confrontational, and in some families, that’s exactly what doesn’t land with everyone. If someone at your table sulks when their region gets conquered, Small World will find that sore spot.
On top of that, some race and power combos are simply stronger, ganging up on the leader can happen, and experienced players sometimes find repeat games feel similar. There’s no trading or negotiation, either.
Small World with kids?
The box says 8+. Teens and pre-teens who like competition will probably love it. Younger kids may find the many pieces and the hour-plus length too much. That said, in the community you also hear about kids between about 6 and 10 doing well.
We don’t have our own kids’ experience with it to report yet.
What we hear in the community
Besides the points above, some players find it less fun with two, because the starting races often show who’ll win. We haven’t tried the two-player map.
There’s a huge family of expansions, plus the standalone Small World Underground. We haven’t tried any of them. If you have a favorite, we still want to hear it.
If you like a game where attacking is the point, have a look at our reviews of Blood Rage and Arcs.
Our verdict
Small World is a light, cheeky conquest game with one great idea: letting your empire fall on purpose. For families of all kinds with older kids, and for game nights with friends who don’t hold grudges, it’s an easy recommendation. For tables that hate direct attacks, it’s the wrong world.
Where it shines
- Random race and power combos make every game different
- Simple rules with a real decision at the heart: when to let your race decline
- A board for each player count keeps the map crowded
Where it stings
- Very confrontational: attacking each other is the whole point
- Some race and power combos are stronger than others
- Lots of pieces to sort and set up
Fact sheet
- 2–5
- 40–80 min (listed)
- 8+
- Philippe Keyaerts
FAQ
How long does a game of Small World take?
Listings give 40 to 80 minutes. Our collection list says 80 minutes.
What age is Small World for?
The box says 8+. Younger kids may struggle with the many pieces and the length. In the community, though, you often hear about kids from about 8 enjoying it.
How many players can play Small World?
Two to five with the base game, with a different map for each player count. An expansion adds a sixth player.
Which Small World expansion should I get?
We asked our followers the same thing when the game arrived. We haven't tried any expansions ourselves, so we can't recommend one yet.
Is Small World very confrontational?
Yes. Conquering other players' regions is the core of the game. You attack freely, and there's no dice luck in a normal attack.
