5 Towers – Card Game

What is 5 Towers?

5 Towers is a card game by designer Kasper Lapp, published in the Netherlands by White Goblin Games. The game is suitable for 2 to 5 players, ages 7 and up, and a game lasts 15 to 30 minutes. 5 Towers You take on the role of master architect and try to build five towers as high as possible by bidding smartly on cards. Each tower has its own type, and its height determines your final score. Whoever can best judge when to take many or few cards wins the game. It is an accessible game with a clear core: bidding, building, and scoring.

The 110 cards form the heart of the game. They are decorated with artwork that nods to pop culture, with hidden references to famous characters incorporated into the illustrations. This gives 5 Towers a playful atmosphere that suits the light, fast-paced setup.

How does a game proceed?

At the beginning of each round, five cards are laid face up on the table. The starting player names a number: this is the number of cards he is willing to take. The other players can raise this bid. Whoever names the highest number takes that number of cards of their choice from the laid-out cards. The remaining cards go to the other players, to be distributed in the order of their bids.

You add the cards you draw to your towers. You may only build one tower of each type. If you draw too many cards of a type you have already completed, you cannot do anything with them. This makes the bidding element sharp: whoever is too eager shoots themselves in the foot. Via drafting you choose which cards you actually add to your towers, and via Auction / Bidding you determine the pressure on your opponents.

Towers with a tower top yield bonus points, adding an extra strategic layer to the build. At the end of the game, everyone adds up the points of their towers, and the player with the highest total wins.

Is it difficult to learn?

5 Towers It is quick to explain and ready to play immediately. The rules are available in Dutch, and the cards contain no text, only numbers and colors. This makes the game accessible to players aged 7 and up, and also suitable for people who rarely play board games. Starting a game takes hardly any time, and the playing time of 15 to 30 minutes ensures that a second game is always feasible.

The depth lies not in complex rules, but in the considerations during bidding. When do you stand? When do you raise? And how do you react to what your opponents do? These questions make the game interesting, even for more experienced players.

Who is 5 Towers suitable?

5 Towers It is an excellent choice for families with children aged 7 and up, for casual players looking for a quick game, and for groups wanting to play something between two heavier games. It works well with 2 players, but comes into its own best with 3 to 5 players, as the bidding then generates more tension and interaction.

It is not a game for those looking for a deep strategic system or a long, evening-filling game. But for those who want to enjoy a sharp and fast card game with an easy entry point, it is 5 Towers a strong choice.

Why this game is worth it

5 Towers combines a simple game structure with genuine tension building. The bidding ensures direct interaction between players, and the limitation of one rook per type forces you to make choices that affect your opponents. Every round feels different, depending on which cards are on the table and what the other players need.

The compact size of the box, the short playing time, and the low threshold make 5 Towers Also ideal as a travel or holiday game. The illustrations with hidden pop culture references give the game an extra layer for those who notice them.

Comparison with other games

5 Towers takes place in the same segment as Sushi go en Coloretto: lightweight card games with a smart core, fast to play, and suitable for a broad audience. Compared to Sushi go is the bidding element in 5 Towers more direct and more confrontational. Compared to For Sale, another classic bidding game in the same weight class, has 5 Towers a build-up element via the towers that gives a bit more structure to the session. Who of Coloretto implies due to the limitation per color, the comparable limitation per tower type will in 5 Towers recognize and appreciate.

Ready to see how Snowflake works?

5 Towers is a fast-paced and accessible card game that offers a surprising amount of excitement for so few rules through clever bidding and building. Suitable for 2 to 5 players aged 7 and up, and played in 15 to 30 minutes. Order 5 Towers Now at Boardgameshop.nl.