Review
Keyside
Keyside gives the Key series a sharp, demanding revival: a dirty euro full of blocking, clashes, and decisions that bite. For groups who enjoy getting in one another’s way, it is one of the year’s stronger games.
- Published
- 2025
- Designer
- Richard Breese, Dávid Turczi
- Publisher
- HUCH!, R&D Games, Intrafin Games
- Players
- 1–4
- Playing time
- 120 min
After the rather strange and middling Keyper, I had more or less written off the Key series. Then Breeze arrives with Keyside and makes me wonder whether the good card had been held back for the end. It takes bits from across the series, squeezes them into something distinctly its own, and produces that rare little intake of breath around the table.
At its centre is a dirty modified rondel which gradually becomes a mandala that drives the actions. This is not a mechanism you explain between two sips of coffee; you need to watch it spread out, then see how its parts lock together.
It takes bits from across the series, squeezes them into something distinctly its own, and produces that rare little intake of breath around the table.
TheCuttlefish
Then the actual game begins: cuts, one-upmanship, and clashes, with the other players doing far more than decorating the edge of your plan. If your group regards kiu-kiu-jitsu — weaponised moaning — as a perfectly legitimate strategic tool, you will do lovely things to one another. You will enjoy it too.
There is plenty to chew on and plenty of reason to come back, provided you want your euro sharp rather than polite. Keyside may be the best game in the series and, for the right group, one of the year’s very good ones.
Keyside may be the best game in the series and, for the right group, one of the year’s very good ones.
TheCuttlefish
Source: BoardGameGeek
0 comments
Sign in to react or comment.
