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Incantibus Review: A Family-Friendly Set Collection Game of Wands, Potions and Wizards
- Alex Critchell
- Jan 27
- 4 min read
This week I want to share a family-weight board game that brings a little magic into your home. Incantibus is a fast-paced set collection game full of swishing wands, clever combinations and a race to stop an evil wizard. It is designed with children in mind, making it a fantastic choice for family game night where both adults and kids can enjoy playing together.
If you are looking for a family board game for younger children that mixes excitement, simple strategy and a magical theme, Incantibus is well worth a look.
First Impressions
Right from the start, Incantibus makes a strong impression. The box art is beautiful, with eye-catching golden lettering and a magical scene that immediately draws you in. The back of the box is clearly laid out and does a great job explaining the theme and what the game involves.
A lovely surprise is that the box itself becomes part of the game. This is always a fun touch and helps the game feel more immersive. Component storage is well designed and the shaped wands are both practical and thematic, helping players feel like real young mages during play.
How the Gameplay Works
Incantibus is a family-friendly fantasy board game where players compete to earn the most magic points and gain a prestigious title in the Magical Order.
The game is played over several rounds as players explore rooms in a tower, gather equipment, brew potions and eventually confront the evil wizard in the crypt.
Exploring the Tower
At the start of each round, a room tile and an evil wizard tile are revealed. Tokens are placed as shown on the room, with some face up and others hidden.
Players then take turns simultaneously pointing their wand at an item or potion they want to claim. When the mage holding the four-power wand shouts “Incanto,” all players point and lock in their choices.
If only one player points to a token, they claim it.
If multiple players choose the same token, the strongest wand wins. The players with the strongest and weakest wands then swap wands, keeping things unpredictable and exciting.
When only two or fewer tiles remain in a room, a new room is revealed and play continues.
The Final Showdown
After all the tower rooms are explored, players enter the crypt to face the evil wizard. All revealed wizard tiles are placed face up, while any unrevealed ones stay face down.
Players must now use their collected resources to claim these wizard tiles, complete potions or claim spell books. Once players can no longer make a move, they drop their wand and the game ends.
Everyone totals their points and the player with the most magic points wins. In a tie, the player with the strongest wand is the winner.
Positives of Incantibus
1. Excellent family board game for kids: The rules are easy to learn, making it very accessible for younger players and great for mixed-age families.
2. Fast-paced and engaging: Turns move quickly and everyone stays involved, which is ideal for children with shorter attention spans.
3. Teaches useful game skills: Incantibus introduces set collection and resource management, skills that appear in many modern board games and help children grow in confidence as players.
Things to Be Aware Of
1. Very light for experienced adults: Adults who prefer deeper strategy games may find it a bit simple on its own.
2. Physical play with wands: A lot of the fun comes from pointing and moving the wands. Players who struggle with holding or aiming objects may find this more challenging.
3. Token storage could be better: The storage system is good overall, but some token holders do not keep components fully secure during transport.
Final Thoughts on Incantibus
Overall, Incantibus is a fantastic family board game for children, especially those aged around 7 to 10. It is simple to teach, plays at a great pace and delivers a fun magical theme that kids really connect with.
Shouting “Incanto” and dramatically pointing wands adds a unique, playful energy that makes it stand out from many other children’s games. It is a great stepping stone into set collection games and modern board gaming.
If your family enjoys fantasy themes, light strategy, and lively table moments, Incantibus is a wonderful addition to your game shelf.
Other Family Board Games to Consider
If Incantibus is not quite right for you, here are some alternatives:
Stomp the Plank – A push-your-luck family game full of laughter as players try to make their opponents’ elephants walk the plank.
Qwirkle Travel – A brilliant travel-friendly game where players build rows of matching shapes or colours to score big points. Easy to teach and endlessly replayable.
King of Tokyo – A step up in complexity, where players control giant monsters battling for control using dice, luck and light strategy.
We would love to hear from you what games have been a hit at your table with younger audiences.
You can find out more about Incantibus below:
If the other games intrigue you, you can find out more about each of them below:
FAQ About Incantibus
Q. Is Incantibus a good board game for young children?
A. Yes, Incantibus is designed to be accessible for children and works especially well for ages 7 to 10.
Q. How long does a game of Incantibus take?
A. Games are generally quick and fast-paced, making it ideal for family sessions and shorter attention spans.
Q. What type of game is Incantibus?
A. It is a family fantasy board game focused on set collection, resource management and light competition.
Q. Is Incantibus good for adults?
A. It can be fun in a family setting, but adults looking for deeper strategy may find it too simple on its own.
Q. Does Incantibus help children learn skills?
A. Yes, it teaches set collection, decision-making and basic resource management in a fun, engaging way.
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