Charterstone - Game Review

Jacqueline Atkins
5 days ago
2 min read

Title: Charterstone

Designed By: Jamey Stegmaier

Art By: Lina Cossette and David Forest

Published By: Stonemaier Games

Released: 2017

Player Count: 1-6

Time to Play: 45-75 Minutes

Ages: 14+

Overview:

Charterstone is a worker placement game about settling and building a shared village. But don’t let the charming artwork and cozy vibes fool you—this is a competitive legacy game where every player is vying to earn the most points as you build, grow, and personalize your charter. Each game in the 12-part campaign adds new twists, rules, and components, making your story—and your board—completely unique. While this review is spoiler-free, and pictures are limited to avoid revealing surprises, rest assured: Charterstone has plenty of delightful secrets to uncover.

What's purr-ty cool:

Your Board, Your Story

One of the coolest things about Charterstone is how your choices physically shape the game. As you add stickers to the board—unlocking buildings, abilities, and other surprises—you’re not just playing a game, you’re crafting a one-of-a-kind version of it. It’s a joy to look back and see how the village evolved based on your decisions. And as someone who grew up loving sticker books, getting to place stickers as part of gameplay hits a nostalgic sweet spot.

Hand holding a card labeled "Arrival, story 1" with gameplay instructions. Background shows a board with slots for stories. Bright lighting.

Legacy with Layers

The campaign spans 12 games, and with each session, new mechanics are introduced that build on the foundation of the last. Stonemaier Games is known for smooth onboarding, and Charterstone is no exception. The first game keeps things light—think collecting resources and constructing basic buildings—but soon you’ll be opening crates that unlock entirely new gameplay elements. The sense of mystery and discovery was one of my favorite parts, and the gradual layering of complexity kept things feeling fresh without ever becoming overwhelming.

A Solid Digital Game

I actually started my Charterstone journey with the digital version on iPad, and it made learning the ropes a breeze. The app does a fantastic job explaining the game’s core systems, which made transitioning to the physical version much easier. Whether you’re short on table space or just want to test the waters before committing to a campaign, the digital version is a great entry point. It is also helpful if you want to play the game with all 6 players but do not have 5 other real life humans to play with. Being able to easily add AI players in the digital version is helpful if you want the full 6 player game experience.

Fluffy cat lying on printed sheets, gazing upward. Background includes papers and office supplies, with a bright, curious expression.

Charming Components

From the unique shaped wooden resources to the adorable illustrations of townsfolk, Charterstone nails the component game. The metal coins are especially delightful, adding a premium feel to the table. I also loved that you get to name your townsfolk as you add them to your village—this little touch adds so much personality and helps you feel even more connected to your growing town.

The cat's meow:

"The whole board is mine now. Forget the stickers, my fur just gets stuck to them anyway. The village is now just one giant cat bed." - Solo the Spokescat

Disclosure: Pudgy Cat Games was provided a copy of this game in exchange for a review, however, this review reflects the honest thoughts of the auth