My First Castle Panic

Today, we’re going to take a look at a game that is frequently recommended here, including by myself, but one that I have never reviewed before and that is…

Game 45 of the “Bailey Family Summer 2023 Board Game Bonanza” is “My First Castle Panic,” played by Jack (.8.), Toby (5), Henry (2), and myself.

Henry (still rocking the Buckaroo, which he now carries around everywhere) really wanted to play another game with us today, so we decided to indulge him and try “My First Castle Panic.”

“My First Castle Panic” is the junior version of “Castle Panic,” the game I reviewed years ago and initially liked when it first came out. However, over subsequent playthroughs, my enthusiasm for it has waned a bit. It’s a good game, but it can be a bit repetitive, and after several sessions, it’s no longer a game I reach for when someone suggests a cooperative board game.

“My First Castle Panic,” on the other hand, is generally my go-to recommendation for someone looking for their first game that isn’t a simple roll-and-move.

The general idea is that you set up the board with Goblins on the faraway spaces and your Castle set up on the right. You have two cards in your hand, each with a shape and a colour, and on your turn, you can use your card’s shape and colour to defeat a monster that matches both. Since it’s a cooperative game, you can also call on a friend to help by using their card. Each turn, you draw a monster card, and all other monsters advance. There are also a few special monsters that make everything move forward quicker. If you’re particularly unlucky with the monster draws, you can quickly find yourself overwhelmed.

It’s not too difficult, and it’s great for shape and colour recognition, with a light element of strategy based on targeting the monsters closest to the castle. Additionally, looking at the cards of upcoming players and trying to gauge where the monsters will be is important to ensure you have the cards to eliminate at least one monster per turn.

The game is light and colourful, with really nice artwork. It’s simple enough that while Henry needed assistance on his turns, a capable and enthusiastic four-year-old could probably manage to play the game on their own. There are also rules in the box for playing the game solo, which is always a nice bonus.

All of the boys enjoyed playing, especially since it was heartening to see Henry getting more involved in the games. This was probably the most enthusiastic I’ve seen him, as he really made an effort to match the colours and shapes. As I mentioned earlier, the fact that it’s cooperative means that I can easily guide him through his turns. In fact, I would generally suggest that co-op games are a great way to introduce very young children (Henry is 25 months old) to games.

For parents looking for a game that is a good step up from Orchard Toys and games like Snakes and Ladders in terms of complexity and aren’t sure where to begin, “My First Castle Panic” is a potentially excellent starting point. Equally, it has a lasting appeal, and the older boys still enjoy playing it, even though they are capable of handling games with much greater complexity.