With the release of Kingdom Crossing fast approaching, find out all the answers to your questions about this new strategy board game that everyone is already talking about!
What kind of game is Kingdom Crossing?
Kingdom Crossing is a Eurolight, meaning it is a more accessible and faster Eurogame, while still retaining great strategic depth.
- Game duration: 45 minutes with 2 players, 1 hour 30 minutes maximum with 4 players.
- Main mechanics: programming and engine building.
🔹 Programming: you must carefully plan your beaver’s movements throughout the Kingdom without ever crossing the same bridge twice.
🔹 Engine building: recruit forest animals and build structures to improve your income and develop your strategy over the course of the rounds.
The ultimate goal? To help your Queen build an eighth bridge for her Kingdom, while completing shared and personal objectives.
Is Kingdom Crossing kid-friendly?
Despite its enchanting universe and adorable illustrations, Kingdom Crossing remains a strategic Eurogame.
- Recommended for ages 14 and up.
- Accessible to young players already used to complex board games.
Its main mechanics are simple (choose an action tile, move, buy a card), but the strategic thinking required classifies it as a gateway game between initiates and experts.
The relation between Kingdom Crossing and the Königsberg Seven Bridges Problem
The inspiration for Kingdom Crossing comes directly from the famous mathematical problem of the Seven Bridges of Königsberg, which dates back to 1735 and is the origin of the graph theory. The original question was: Can you cross the city using each of its seven bridges only once and return to your starting point?
The answer is no! Because you would need an even number of bridges for each island, which was not the case.
This concept inspired Marco Canetta and Stefania Niccolini, the game’s creators, who gave it a playful and thematic twist, transporting players to a forest filled with anthropomorphic animals.
How to play Kingdom Crossing?
A complete overview of the rules of Kingdom Crossing is available on its official page, but here are the main points:
- The game is played in 4 rounds, called Days.
- In each round, players can: choose 4 action tiles (1 at a time), move through the forest, buy cards, and develop their game engine.
- The player with the most victory points at the end of the game wins.
👉 A solo mode is included, with an automa offering 4 difficulty levels.
Who are the designers and artists of Kingdom Crossing?
- Designers: Marco Canetta and Stefania Niccolini, already known for Zhanguo: The First Empire. Active members of the Italian scene, they regularly meet up with other creators like Fabio Lopiano and Nestore Mangone (Shackleton Base).
- Illustrator: David Sitbon, renowned for his historical work on Iki and Zhanguo: The First Empire, the dark fantasy universe of Gosu X, and his futuristic vision in Galileo Project and Shackleton Base. He brings the kingdom of Brightsping in Kingdom Crossing to life with adorable animals.
When will Kingdom Crossing be released?
Kingdom Crossing will be released in France on October 17, 2025. Perfect timing to prepare your Christmas gifts and surprise your loved ones who are passionate about board games! It will also be featured at the Spiel Essen fair.
Kingdom Crossing at Spiel Essen 2025
Kingdom Crossing will be shown at Spiel Essen 2025, from October 23 to 26, 2025.
- 🎲 Demo games available at booth 6K300.
- 🛍 Direct purchase on site at the Hachette Boardgames store at a special fair price.
- 🌍 Multilingual French/English version (the components are text-free, only the rules contain written elements).
⚠️ There are no pre-orders planned for Essen, but you can purchase a copy directly at the fair.
In short: why wait for Kingdom Crossings?
✅ An accessible yet deep strategic board game.
✅ Inspired by a unique mathematical trivia story: the seven bridges of Königsberg.
✅ By talented authors Marco Canetta and Stefania Niccolini, illustrated by David Sitbon.
✅ Official french release date: October 17, 2025. Special release at Spiel Essen 2025.
Kingdom Crossing promises to be one of the must-have boardgames of 2025, both for Eurogame enthusiasts and players looking for an original and immersive experience.
