Castle Panic Second Edition is an epic “battle” game that kids will have a blast playing. The game can be played alone or together with up to 6 players. No matter how you play it, our testers agree that it offers a terrific mix of strategy and fun. There are four different ways to play, which is a nice touch that allows players to mix things up and keep things fresh. The primary play configuration is a collaborative effort where you and your fellow defenders must join forces to protect your castle from the attack of monsters. The game board is made of sturdy cardboard. It folds into a quarter of its size for storage, a thoughtful design touch that parents always appreciate. There are a number of high-quality pieces, including metal, plastic, and wooden components. The monster figurines are highly detailed and uniquely designed. The gameplay employs loads of strategic thinking. Players will use cards to fend off the attacking monsters. They must consider multiple options when deciding which moves to make to best protect the castle. Some of our reviewers told us that it feels like a video game brought to life as a board game. This is not a quick or fast game by any means; they will typically last in the range of 45 minutes. You’ll know that as soon as you get a load of the instruction manual, which is extensive and detailed but also very helpful and frankly important if you want to play it correctly. Parents, when considering the ingenious gameplay, the quality of the components, and the sheer number of pieces, felt that Castle Panic Second Edition offers incredible value for its price. It’s a fun, strategic, and immersive board game that they felt made it deserving of a spot in your game rotation.