Castellers (2008) Board Game

Castellers is a board game designed by Bié and Antonio Catalán, released in in 2008. The game is inspired by the traditional Catalan tradition of building human towers, known as Castells. In this game, players work together to build the tallest and most stable human tower possible.

Game Components of Castellers

66 castellers wooden pieces in 4 colors

2 sets of stickers

12 pinya base tiles

2 bonus tokens

1 bag

A set of rules.

How To Setup Castellers

To set up the game, players start by preparing the castellers wooden pieces and the pinya base tiles. Each player selects a set of colored castellers and places the pinya base tiles on the table. The deck of cards is shuffled and dealt according to the number of players. The game is ready when each player has their starting hand and the necessary components are laid out.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Mechanics:
– Hand management: Players manage their cards to build towers.
– Set collection: Gathering specific sets of cards to form the tower.

Game Objective:
– Build human towers by collecting the right cards.
– Earn points (applause) by being the first to raise towers or contributing to towers raised by others.
– The game ends when a player has raised three towers, and the player with the most points wins.

Player Experience

In **Castellers**, players take turns clockwise, choosing to either take a group of castellers from the table, take two cards from the deck, or raise part of their human tower. The game requires strategic planning to avoid “llenya” (when the tower falls down) and to maximize points. The presence of Grallers (musicians) and the Cap de colla (team leader) adds a thematic layer, enhancing the immersive experience of building human towers.

Pros

Engaging Theme: The game captures the unique and fascinating tradition of Catalan human towers.

Quick Playtime: The game lasts only 20 minutes, making it a great filler game.

Simple to Learn: The rules are straightforward, suitable for players aged 8 and above.

Strategic Depth: Players need to balance card collection and tower building strategically.

Cons

Limited Player Count: The game is designed for 2-4 players, limiting its accessibility for larger groups.

Luck Element: Card draw can introduce an element of luck that may affect the outcome.

Personal Thoughts on Castellers

**Castellers** is ideal for families, casual gamers, and anyone interested in unique cultural themes. The game’s short playtime and simple rules make it an excellent addition to any game collection. However, it may not appeal to players seeking complex strategy or games that support larger player counts. If you enjoy set collection and hand management mechanics with a touch of cultural flair, **Castellers** is definitely worth considering.

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