Stamp Swap
⭐ 8/10
👥 1-5 players
🕗 45 minutes
👨👩👧👦 10+
Objective of the Game
In Stamp Swap, a board game by Stonemaier Games, players aim to create the most valuable stamp collections through clever collecting, trading, and strategic placement. The game focuses on optimizing your collection and making smart use of the various scoring opportunities to earn the most points.
Gameplay and Mechanism
The game is played over three rounds, each divided into three phases: collecting, splitting/trading, and scoring. In the collecting phase, players draft a set of stamps. This set is then split into two piles: one pile is given to another player, and the remaining pile is kept by the player who did the splitting. This “I Cut, You Choose” mechanism creates a strategic dilemma: how do you make the piles attractive to others without disadvantaging yourself? Players then place their stamps on their boards to score as highly as possible on one of the four scoring cards, each of which can only be used once. Extra depth is added by special cards, such as rare gold stamps and “forever stamps” that can fill gaps or score majorities. Each game offers variety through changing scoring conditions and an event deck that slightly alters the rules each round.
Review
Stamp Swap is an enjoyable and smooth game that stands out with its fun mechanics and beautiful design. The trading and splitting mechanism creates interaction and interesting choices, while the varying scoring objectives provide a fresh challenge in every game. The components are of high quality, featuring gorgeous illustrations and a well-thought-out production, though the player boards feel a bit less sturdy. The game plays quickly and remains engaging, especially for fans of drafting and light strategy. However, the difficulty level can vary depending on the drawn scoring cards: some objectives are more challenging or rewarding than others, which can slightly affect the balance.
We played the game with both 2 and 4 players. With 4 players, the “I Cut, You Choose” mechanism works best, in our opinion, but it’s also enjoyable with 2 players.
Stamp Swap is a great addition to the genre and a recommended choice for players seeking an interactive game that is both accessible and strategic.
SIXTO
