Cloudspire | board game by Chip Theory Games | overview & review

Description provided by Dice on Board on YouTube:

Chip Theory Games is a team from Minnesota known for a bold and distinctive approach to board game design. Instead of classic cardboard, they use waterproof neoprene mats for almost every component: player boards, map tiles and various tokens. Their second, instantly recognizable hallmark is the use of thick poker-style chips to represent units, health and other key elements. The third defining part of their identity is a deep love for asymmetry—every faction, unit and ability is designed to feel unique, offering huge replayability and a meaningful strategic challenge. If the name still doesn’t ring a bell, these are the creators of the cult classic Too Many Bones, the inventive Burncycle, and the recent high-profile release set in the Elder Scrolls universe, Betrayal of the Second Era. Their titles are consistently praised by both critics and players. If you don’t yet own any of them, you’ve definitely missed something special. With that context out of the way—though for me an emotionally important one, because I truly admire this studio—it’s time to introduce another game that has recently dominated my table. Cloudspire is a visually stunning and remarkably intriguing hybrid of MOBA and Tower Defense. Players choose one of several wildly asymmetrical factions and, across four rounds divided into phases, aim to destroy the enemy base while defending their own. During the game you recruit units, build the titular spires acting as fortifications, and upgrade various elements of your stronghold. This strengthens both your offensive and defensive capabilities. Every faction plays completely differently, so knowing not only your own strengths but also your opponent’s is crucial. Besides regular units, you can also recruit heroes, each with their own stats and abilities, offering unique tactical options that can significantly impact your strategy. Cloudspire often feels like a board game version of chess. All standard units must move toward the opponent along predictable paths, allowing both sides to anticipate each other’s actions and plan accordingly. Heroes are the only exception, moving freely across the board. They support your army, explore for treasures and search for new building spots for additional spires. To this already deep system, the designers added random event cards, introduced from the second round onward. These can help or hinder players depending on the faction and strategy. Their impact, however, is sometimes a bit too strong for such a strategic title—occasionally giving one player a major boost while making things significantly harder for another. On the table, Cloudspire is breathtaking. It proudly showcases everything Chip Theory Games is known for: premium materials, impressive table presence and a unique identity you won’t find anywhere else. Of course, all this quality comes at a high price, and the game is anything but cheap. But what matters most is the experience. To appreciate Cloudspire fully, you need time—not just to learn the rules, but also to understand the many micro-mechanics of each faction. This is a game aimed at experienced, dedicated players who treat board gaming as an intellectual challenge. Ideally, everyone at the table should have that mindset. Playing against someone distracted or less invested can easily diminish the experience for everyone involved. This is not a flaw, but a characteristic of the design. Cloudspire isn’t a title for every group or every occasion. It demands focus and patience, but once you understand its depth and see that same spark of comprehension in your fellow players’ eyes, it truly shines. And the satisfaction from winning can be enormous. The game does have a couple of real issues. First: the event deck, which introduces too much randomness for such a tactical game. Second: the rulebook, which leaves several situations unclear, often sending players to external sources like BGG or Reddit. Despite its flaws, Cloudspire remains a deep, rewarding and beautifully crafted experience. I rate it highly, with the caveat that I would only play it with a small, dedicated group that enjoys demanding strategic games and has the time to learn them properly. Final score: 8/10. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:41 Chip Theory Games DNA 01:39 Game overall 04:11 Rating 06:07 Conclusion --- Music "March of the People" by Semo