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Choose your five moves, place the cards face down in front of you. Now everyone reveals. Your fastest snail shoots with the bazooka, the slow one arrives late and only finds a hole in the island where the enemy once was.
WHAT IT'S ABOUT
Teams of armed snails in combat on sinking islands
Damian Stankowski brings the humor of Worms video games and the spirit of a tactical party game to Snails. The illustrations by Jean-Baptiste Reynaud (Djib, known for Zombicide and Abomination) transform unlikely mollusks into credible mercenaries, armed with bazookas, axes, and Molotov cocktails. Published by Galakta in 2024 and winner of two Planszowe Gram Prix 2025 awards (Best Family Game and Best Polish Designer Game), it arrives in Italy with Giochi Uniti.
You secretly program five actions for two of your snails, then reveal everything simultaneously with your opponents. Faster snails act first, slower ones arrive when the terrain has already changed: islands excavated, toxic barrels emerged, enemies eliminated or moved. Each round destroys part of the board: the island tiles are layered; you excavate by removing layers until only water remains. Whoever falls into the sea is out. Each team has a unique Hero that unlocks special abilities and changes how action cards are played.
What they say abroad
A party game that doesn't shy away from tactics. Fast programming, guaranteed laughs, but choices really matter.
— FroGames
"Snails brings the chaos of Worms to the tabletop with surprising depth behind the laughs."
Snails porta il caos di Worms sul tavolo con una profondità sorprendente dietro le risate.
— Meeple Mountain
Snails
FrogScore · FroGames editorial rating · based on rules, international reviews and play sessionsYour arsenal
Four elements that change every game
Asymmetrical Heroes
Each team has a unique Hero with a special ability: one grants extra movement, another manipulates initiative, a third unlocks chain attacks. Change Hero, change dominant tactic.
110 action cards
Bazooka, mines, axe, push, Molotov, teleport: each card has clear icons and an immediate effect. You choose 5 per round, assign them to 2 snails, then reveal everything simultaneously.
Modular layered islands
The island tiles are double or triple: you dig a layer to reveal hidden weapons, hostile crabs, or toxic barrels. In the end, only solitary rocks surrounded by water remain.
Custom dice
Resolve damage with custom dice that have damage faces, critical faces, and empty faces. A lucky roll eliminates a full-health snail, an unlucky one leaves the enemy standing.
Recommended sleeves 110 cards in 1 size ▼
If you play often, we recommend protecting your cards with transparent sleeves to make them last longer.
| Size | Quantity |
|---|---|
| 44 × 67 mm | 110 |
| Total cards | 110 |
Come si gioca
Video dimostrativo di gameplay.
🎲How to playThe rules in four steps▼
How to play
The flow of each round
Snails is played in rounds: simultaneous programming, resolution in initiative order, then repeat.
Choose 5 cards from your hand. Assign them face down to 2 of your snails (one takes 3, the other 2). You don't have to reveal which snail has which pile.
Everyone reveals their cards together. Order all actions by initiative (number on the card). Faster actions resolve first, slower ones later: this means the board changes while you're still waiting for your turn.
In initiative order, each snail performs its action: movement, weapon attack (dice roll for damage), special ability, digging an island level. If a snail falls into water or loses all its health points, it's eliminated. If you dig a level, you discover what was underneath: weapons, crabs, barrels.
Discard all played cards, draw until you have a full hand again. If someone has lost all their snails, they are out of the game. The next round begins until only one player (or team) is left standing.
⏱️Your first gameThe chronicle, moment by moment▼
A game in five moments
What happens at the table
Not the rules. The experience.
Setup and close-ups
Choose the scenario (there are several), build the islands by stacking layered tiles, place your three snails and the Hero. Everyone draws their initial hand of action cards. Already here you can see who aims for speed and who for destruction: each Hero suggests a tactic.
First simultaneous reveal
Choose 5 cards from your hand, distribute them face down among 2 snails (one takes 3, the other 2). Everyone reveals together. Initiative is read: those with fast cards act first. Your snail shoots with the bazooka, the opponent moves away, the third player blows up the tile beneath you. Nothing went as you planned.
The islands begin to crumble
Mid-game, the board is already less dense: by digging levels you've discovered better weapons (which you collect immediately), but also toxic barrels that damage anyone near them. Someone has already lost a snail in the water. The tension rises because every wrong move can now cost you elimination.
The bluff that changes everything
One player programs a slow move with the snail everyone thinks is armed with a bazooka. Instead, it's the other snail, super fast, that shoots: the target was poorly positioned and falls off the island. Reading the opponents paid off more than brute damage. The table explodes in shouts and laughter.
Last snail standing
Two players remain, each with one snail. The islands are reduced to a few single tiles surrounded by water. You can no longer hide, every card is decisive. A critical die roll eliminates the last enemy snail. Victory. Someone immediately asks for a rematch with another Hero.
🐸What to know beforehandThree honest things, from friends▼
What to know beforehand
Three things you need to consider
Almost zero downtime, but high chaos
Simultaneous programming eliminates downtime: everyone plays together. But when cards are revealed, the resolution order can overturn everything you planned. If this frustrates you, Snails is not for you. If you find it fun, it's the right game.
Scales well only with 3 players and up
It works with 2 players, but loses some unpredictability: with 3-4, chaos becomes a tactical advantage (harder to predict all moves). With 2, it's more deterministic and less exciting.
Dice for damage: you can mitigate, not eliminate
Each attack is resolved with a custom die. Cards and abilities modify the rolls, but an unlucky die can make the best plan fail. If you hate tactical randomness, it's present and influential here.
🏆Victory and defeatWhat the ending rewards▼
How it ends
How to win and how to lose
Snails is a last-man-standing game: the winner is the one who eliminates all opposing snails.
Victory
- You are the last player with at least one snail still in play on the board
- You have eliminated all enemy snails by damage or by making them fall into the water
- In some scenario variants, you can win by achieving special objectives (depends on the chosen scenario)
Elimination
- All your snails have lost all health points (reduced to zero by attacks or effects)
- All your snails have fallen into the water (fallen from the islands or pushed by enemies)
- In scenarios with timers or events, you can be eliminated by special scenario conditions
Snails is that game that starts as a party game and ends with tactical discussions about who best read the other's bluff. Rarely has a mollusk made such a scene.
💬Frequently Asked QuestionsQuick answers before checkout▼
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ about Snails
How long does a game actually last?
With 3-4 players, 45-60 minutes including explanation. The first few games take a few extra minutes to understand the card icons, then you speed up. With 2 players it can drop to 30-40 minutes because there are fewer snails in play.
Are the Heroes balanced or is there one dominant one?
Each Hero has a strong ability in a specific play style: speed, control, direct damage. There isn't an objectively stronger Hero, but some are easier for beginners to use (those with simple passive abilities). Offensive Heroes shine in aggressive games, defensive ones in long scenarios.
If I hate chaotic games, can this still work?
Probably not. Snails has simultaneous programming and dice for damage: you plan, but you don't control everything. If you're looking for a deterministic tactical abstract game, this isn't it. But if you like bluffing and adapting to chaos, it works great here.
What mechanics does Snails use?
Action queue (secret programming of 5 actions), simultaneous resolution by initiative, hand management (you manage a limited hand of cards), dice rolling for damage, map deformation (the board is destroyed), variable player powers (each Hero has unique abilities), modular board (islands are built in layers and different configurations).
Is it available in English?
Yes, the Giochi Uniti edition is completely in Italian: rulebook, action cards, quick references. The icons on the cards are intuitive, so even with editions in other languages, it would be easy to play, but here you have everything localized.
The people behind the game
Who invented it, who designed it, who publishes it — and what else they've done.
Snails is a competitive tactical game for 2-4 players aged 10 and up, lasting 45-60 minutes, designed by Damian Stankowski and illustrated by Jean-Baptiste Reynaud. The game uses simultaneous programming (action queue), custom dice combat, a modular layered board that is destroyed during the game, and asymmetric powers through unique Heroes. Published by Galakta and winner of two Planszowe Gram Prix 2025 awards, it arrives in Italy with Giochi Uniti in a fully localized edition. Ideal for families and groups looking for a party game with tactical depth, bluffing, and constant direct interaction. Available on FroGames.it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The answers you're looking for, no beating around the bush.
📸Do the images match the actual product?
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📦Does the content of the box match what is indicated?
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