I’ll admit it right up front: I like card games—typically more than others in The Meeple Guild—so be aware this review may skew a bit toward my preferences as a writer and player.
The game in question is Butterfly Kingdom, designed by Icerain Lin and published by Icerain Games.
This is a title that immediately catches the eye thanks to the gorgeous butterfly artwork by Wesley Lin. That art also reflects the game’s origin in Taiwan, which, according to the publisher, boasts “diverse terrain and climate that have nurtured over 400 species of butterflies, including more than 50 endemic species. Records of butterflies in Taiwan date back to the Qing Dynasty, and during the 1950s, large-scale collecting and exports earned the island the nickname ‘The Kingdom of Butterflies.’”
A lovely touch is that the rulebook includes short notes about each butterfly species depicted, adding a touch of education to the enjoyment.
“We collaborated with ecological illustrator Wesley Lin, who is passionate about butterflies and moths,” said designer Icerain Lin. “All of the illustrations represent real species endemic to Taiwan. The cover also features Yushan, the highest peak in Northeast Asia and one of Taiwan’s national symbols—elements I personally love.
Originally, I wanted to include around 40 butterfly species so that the game could serve as a miniature field guide to Taiwan’s butterflies. Unfortunately, production scale and publishing timelines made that impossible, but perhaps we can revisit the idea in a second edition or expansion.”
When we played it, The Guild felt that Butterfly Kingdom bore some resemblance to rummy, a familiar comfort for card game lovers. However, Lin clarified in conversation that the inspiration came from elsewhere:
“Last year, The Gang (Gangs of Kyoto) achieved unprecedented success with a modern take on Texas Hold’em. That made me wonder if traditional games could be modernized through board game design, allowing players to rediscover the core fun beyond gambling,” Lin explained. “For Butterfly Kingdom, we drew inspiration from Mahjong, reimagining it by simplifying the rules and adjusting the pace—highlighting the engaging aspects that often get overlooked.”
Whether it reminds you of Mahjong or rummy, Butterfly Kingdom—for three to five players—plays uniquely and intriguingly.
Players are dealt a hand of cards and try to form sets and collections as they draw and discard. The twist? You cannot rearrange your hand. Cards stay locked where they are. So, if you’ve got a pair of sevens separated by three cards, you’ll have to work strategically to bring them together.
Newly drawn cards can be inserted anywhere in your hand, but once placed, they’re locked in too. If you choose to take the top discarded card, you must immediately play it to the table along with cards from your hand—potentially clearing gaps and helping future plays.
It sounds trickier than it is. After a couple of rounds, the flow clicks, and it plays quite smoothly.
What also makes this game notable is its cultural intent—a deliberate effort to spotlight Taiwan through gaming.
“Beyond the mechanics, Butterfly Kingdom is also the first title in our Taiwan-themed series,” Lin said. “With this series, we want to help players worldwide—including those in Taiwan—develop a deeper understanding of Taiwan beyond bubble tea and night markets.
Through the game’s theme, we showcase local culture, history, and natural ecology. We also included an appendix in the rulebook—much like the extras you’d find in old PC games 30 years ago—that provides background knowledge without affecting gameplay.
Most board games published in Taiwan so far have been casual party games tied to stereotypes. Few have explored new mechanics or deeply engaged with local culture. With Butterfly Kingdom, we wanted to combine both—innovative gameplay and authentic cultural themes—to offer something refreshingly different.”
In the end, Butterfly Kingdom is one of those small gem games that deserve to be noticed. The beautiful butterfly art will draw you in, and the fresh mechanics will keep you playing. It may not top the year’s “best of” lists—that’s a tall order for any card game—but it’s certainly a delightful, original experience that’s well worth adding to your collection.
About Author
Calvin Daniels is a Saskatchewan-born, self-taught journalist. He is currently Editor of Yorkton This Week, with 35-years in the newspaper business.
Butterfly Kingdom a fresh rummy-esque offering
The game in question is Butterfly Kingdom, designed by Icerain Lin and published by Icerain Games.
This is a title that immediately catches the eye thanks to the gorgeous butterfly artwork by Wesley Lin. That art also reflects the game’s origin in Taiwan, which, according to the publisher, boasts “diverse terrain and climate that have nurtured over 400 species of butterflies, including more than 50 endemic species. Records of butterflies in Taiwan date back to the Qing Dynasty, and during the 1950s, large-scale collecting and exports earned the island the nickname ‘The Kingdom of Butterflies.’”
A lovely touch is that the rulebook includes short notes about each butterfly species depicted, adding a touch of education to the enjoyment.
When we played it, The Guild felt that Butterfly Kingdom bore some resemblance to rummy, a familiar comfort for card game lovers. However, Lin clarified in conversation that the inspiration came from elsewhere:
Whether it reminds you of Mahjong or rummy, Butterfly Kingdom—for three to five players—plays uniquely and intriguingly.
Players are dealt a hand of cards and try to form sets and collections as they draw and discard. The twist? You cannot rearrange your hand. Cards stay locked where they are. So, if you’ve got a pair of sevens separated by three cards, you’ll have to work strategically to bring them together.
Newly drawn cards can be inserted anywhere in your hand, but once placed, they’re locked in too. If you choose to take the top discarded card, you must immediately play it to the table along with cards from your hand—potentially clearing gaps and helping future plays.
It sounds trickier than it is. After a couple of rounds, the flow clicks, and it plays quite smoothly.
What also makes this game notable is its cultural intent—a deliberate effort to spotlight Taiwan through gaming.
In the end, Butterfly Kingdom is one of those small gem games that deserve to be noticed. The beautiful butterfly art will draw you in, and the fresh mechanics will keep you playing. It may not top the year’s “best of” lists—that’s a tall order for any card game—but it’s certainly a delightful, original experience that’s well worth adding to your collection.
About Author
Calvin Daniels
Calvin Daniels is a Saskatchewan-born, self-taught journalist. He is currently Editor of Yorkton This Week, with 35-years in the newspaper business.
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