Castle Combo

Each turn, you choose one card from one of the two open markets and place it in your personal 3x3 tableau. You pay the cost with gold and use keys to influence the Messenger pawn, which determines which cards are available. Each card you place activates immediate effects and potentially awards points at the end of the game. The strength of your tableau depends on both which cards you choose and where you place them. After nine rounds—when everyone has a complete tableau—the player with the most points wins.

Castle Combo combines simple turns with surprisingly deep strategy: choosing a single card always feels small, but its impact on your tableau is enormous. The tension between gold management, timing, the Messenger's position, and perfect placement in your 3x3 grid creates a delightful puzzle-like experience. The combos build over time, making each turn better and more satisfying. A clever, elegant, and compact tableau-building game that offers a lot of depth in a short playtime—ideal for players who enjoy tactics and puzzles without lengthy rules. Winner of the Golden Geek Light Game of the Year!