Kolejka
⭐1/10
Players: 2–5
Playtime: 60–90 min
Difficulty: Medium
(simple rules, but requires patience)
Game type: Board game, historical, educational
Kolejka (edycja polska)
Queue is not just a game — it’s a reenactment of everyday life in communist Poland. Endless lines, empty shelves, and the constant hope that maybe this time there will be something to buy. You guide your family pawns through the chaos, trying to grab essentials before they vanish, while speculators, shortages, and “under-the-counter” deals mess up your plans. It’s clever as a piece of social history, but whether it works as a game is another question.
🎯 Objective
Line up your “family” pawns in the queue and collect all the goods from your shopping list. Maneuver around shortages, speculators, and sudden stocktakings while hoping to get what you need before everything’s gone. Nostalgic in theory — but the fun can vanish faster than goods on the shelves.
🛡️ How a turn works
Place your pawns in the queue.
Reveal a delivery card — only those at the front may actually buy.
Play action cards (like Mother with Child, You’re Not Standing Here, or Stocktaking)… or just stand helplessly and wait for the next round.
🔥 Why I (don’t) like it
I bought this game especially because my friends love the PRL (Polish communist era) vibe — but with three players, the fun turned into a slog.
With 2 players? Too little interaction → sluggish gameplay.
With 3 players? Still too slow.
With 4–5 players? It can be fun if everyone is genuinely into the theme.
🏆 How to win in Queue
Time your action cards carefully to push past competitors — but remember, everyone else has the same tools.
Play with a larger group — that’s when the game has a chance to shine.
Watch out for speculators and stocktakings — played at the wrong time, they can wreck your plans.
☕ Impressions
I brought this game to my friends as a nostalgic throwback to PRL, but instead of laughter, we felt like we were actually standing in line at a shop… endlessly waiting. The repetitive actions and stretched playtime drained the energy. Other reviewers note the same: doing something “just for the atmosphere” can quickly slide into boredom with the mechanics.
🎯 Rating: 1/10
I appreciate the effort — the theme, the design, the cultural homage — but as a game, it didn’t land for me. Without a lively group of players fully invested in the setting, it becomes simply dull. If you want something that sparks your brain and keeps the table buzzing, look elsewhere.
