Project L
Project L from Boardcubator combines polyomino puzzle-solving with engine building. Designers Michal Mikeš, Jan Soukal, and Adam Španěl created this abstract strategy game that released in 2020. The game accommodates 1-4 players aged 8 and up with sessions lasting 20-40 minutes.
Players complete colorful acrylic puzzles by placing tetromino-style pieces onto puzzle cards. Each finished puzzle rewards you with points or additional pieces to expand your capabilities. The straightforward rules hide surprising strategic depth that keeps experienced gamers engaged.
Project L Overview
You start with basic polyomino pieces and build an engine to complete increasingly complex puzzles. The game uses an action point system where you get three actions per turn. Actions include taking new pieces, upgrading pieces, completing puzzles, or collecting new puzzle cards.
The goal involves accumulating victory points by finishing puzzle cards. Black puzzles offer more points but require more pieces to complete. White puzzles provide fewer points but finish quickly and grant additional pieces as rewards.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Designer | Michal Mikeš, Jan Soukal, Adam Španěl |
| Publisher | Boardcubator |
| Year Released | 2020 |
| Players | 1-4 |
| Age Range | 8+ |
| Playing Time | 20-40 minutes |
| Game Type | Abstract Strategy, Puzzle, Engine Building |
| Complexity Rating | 1.56/5 |
What’s in the Box
The component quality exceeds expectations for games in this price range. Boardcubator chose thick acrylic pieces that feel substantial in your hands. The tactile satisfaction of placing pieces onto puzzle cards enhances every turn.
Puzzle cards feature clean graphic design from Pavel Richter. White cards show simpler patterns while black cards display more complex shapes. Each card clearly shows the victory points and rewards you receive upon completion.
| Component | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| White Puzzle Cards | 32 | Easier puzzles, reward pieces |
| Black Puzzle Cards | 20 | Complex puzzles, higher points |
| Acrylic Pieces | 90 | 10 of each shape (1-4 dots) |
| Player Boards | 4 | Track available pieces |
| Instruction Manual | 1 | Clear rules with examples |
Pros and Cons of Project L
Pros
- Rules explanation takes five minutes – you start playing immediately without lengthy setup
- Zero downtime between turns keeps all players engaged throughout the session
- Premium acrylic pieces provide satisfying tactile feedback when placing them on cards
- Scales perfectly from 1-4 players without rule modifications or gameplay compromises
- Quick playtime fits between heavier games or serves as a satisfying filler
- Strategic depth emerges from simple rules – experienced players find optimization challenges
Cons
- Limited player interaction – you focus on your own puzzles with minimal blocking
- Experienced players gain significant advantages over newcomers in opening moves
- Puzzle distribution luck affects your available options each round
- Theme feels abstract – the puzzle-solving lacks narrative connection or immersion
- Replay value depends on enjoying optimization – no variable setup or scenarios
How to Play Project L
Setup takes less than five minutes. Deal each player two white puzzle cards and one black card. Everyone receives the same starting pieces – one single dot and one two-dot piece. Arrange remaining puzzle cards in face-up rows sorted by color.
Players take simultaneous turns using an action point system. You get three actions each round. The master action (placing all your pieces at once) counts as a single action but can only be used once per round.
Available Actions
The Take action lets you claim any size 1 piece from the supply. Free pieces accelerate your engine building. Use this action when you need specific shapes for upcoming puzzles.
The Upgrade action swaps one of your pieces for the next larger size. Trade a size 1 for size 2, size 2 for size 3, or size 3 for size 4. Larger pieces cover more puzzle spaces with fewer actions.
The Place action puts one piece from your supply onto one of your puzzle cards. The piece must fit exactly into empty spaces without overlapping. Placed pieces stay until the puzzle completes.
The Complete action finishes any puzzle where all spaces contain pieces. Return all pieces from that puzzle to your supply. Claim the rewards shown on the card – either victory points or new pieces. Then draw a replacement puzzle from either color.
The Master action places every piece you currently own onto your puzzles in a single turn. This powerful move costs only one action but requires careful planning. You might complete multiple puzzles simultaneously or make progress on several cards.
Winning the Game
The game ends when the black puzzle deck runs out. Players finish the current round so everyone gets equal turns. Count victory points from completed puzzle cards. The player with the most points wins. Ties go to whoever completed more black puzzles.
Where to Buy Project L
Project L sells through multiple channels depending on your location and preferences. Online retailers offer the widest availability and often include customer reviews to help your decision.
| Retailer | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | Physical | Prime shipping available |
| Local Game Stores | Physical | Support local businesses |
| Boardcubator Website | Physical | Direct from publisher |
| Tabletopia | Digital | Free online version |
| Board Game Arena | Digital | Multiplayer online |
Project L Game Mechanics Breakdown
The core loop revolves around action point allocation. You decide how to spend three actions each turn. Do you grab new pieces, upgrade existing ones, or push toward puzzle completion? Every choice creates trade-offs.
Engine building drives the strategic arc. You start weak with only two basic pieces. Smart play expands your capabilities each round. More pieces mean more placement options. Larger pieces cover spaces faster.
Pattern recognition skills determine your efficiency. Experienced players quickly identify which pieces complete specific puzzles. You learn to plan several turns ahead based on available pieces and puzzle shapes.
The master action creates pivotal decision points. Timing this powerful move separates good players from great ones. Use it too early and waste potential. Wait too long and miss optimal combinations.
Resource management applies to both pieces and puzzle cards. You can hold up to four puzzles at once. More puzzles provide flexibility but spread your pieces thin. Focus on fewer puzzles to complete them faster.
Similar to Azul in its elegant simplicity, Project L teaches quickly but rewards repeated play. The spatial puzzle element shares DNA with tile-laying games but focuses on personal optimization rather than shared board space.
Who Should Play Project L
Puzzle enthusiasts find immediate satisfaction in the core gameplay loop. If you enjoy Tetris or similar spatial challenges, Project L delivers that same dopamine hit. The physical pieces enhance the tactile experience beyond digital puzzle games.
Gateway gamers benefit from the accessible rules and short playtime. You can teach Project L to non-gamers in minutes. The gateway game qualities make it perfect for introducing friends and family to modern board gaming concepts.
Families appreciate the simultaneous play that keeps kids engaged. An 8-year-old can compete meaningfully against adults. The lack of reading requirements and language-independent components work for diverse groups.
Solo gamers get a challenging puzzle mode. The solo variant adjusts difficulty through different starting conditions and scoring thresholds. You can play a satisfying session in 15-20 minutes.
Skip If You Prefer
Heavy strategy gamers might find Project L too light after several plays. The decision space stays relatively consistent game to game. If you need deep tactical complexity or variable setup, consider heavier strategy titles instead.
Players who value theme and narrative should look elsewhere. Project L embraces its abstract puzzle nature without attempting story integration. The colorful pieces and cards serve mechanical purposes rather than thematic ones.
Groups seeking high interaction will find Project L’s multiplayer solitaire style disappointing. You rarely affect opponents directly. Success depends on personal optimization rather than reading and blocking other players.
FAQ
Is Project L good for beginners?
Project L excels as a beginner game. The rules take five minutes to explain and players grasp the core concepts after one round. The simultaneous turns prevent downtime and keep new players engaged. The gradual engine building provides a satisfying learning curve without overwhelming complexity.
How long does Project L take to play?
Expect 20-30 minutes for most sessions with experienced players. First-time games run closer to 40 minutes including rules explanation. Solo games finish in 15-20 minutes. The simultaneous turn structure speeds play significantly compared to traditional turn-based games.
What’s the best player count for Project L?
Project L works equally well at all player counts from 1-4. Two players offers the fastest experience with minimal waiting. Three to four players creates more competition for puzzle cards but maintains good pacing. The solo mode provides a legitimate puzzle challenge with adjustable difficulty levels.
What games are similar to Project L?
Sagrada shares the spatial puzzle element with dice placement instead of polyominoes. Patchwork offers similar pattern-matching in a two-player competitive format. Calico and Cascadia combine tile-laying puzzles with light strategy. Century Golem Edition provides accessible engine building with faster turns and card-based resource conversion.
Should I buy the Project L expansions?
The base game provides excellent value and substantial replay potential on its own. Project L Finesse adds goal cards that introduce new scoring objectives and increase strategic depth. Ghost Piece expansion includes transparent pieces and additional puzzle types. Start with the base game to determine if the puzzle style appeals before investing in expansions.
