Kings & Creatures (2021) Board Game

Kings & Creatures is a board game released in 2021, designed by Stephan Lorenz and illustrated by Zoch Verlag. It falls under the categories of Abstract Strategy, Animals, Fantasy, and Mythology, making it a versatile and engaging game for players of all ages.

Game Components of Kings & Things

48 hex tiles divided into eight types of terrain

351 die-cut counters representing various creatures, magic items, special income, treasure, and random events

Gold counters in various denominations

117 other counters, representing buildings, heroes, cities, and villages

8 racks to hold counters

4 dice

16-page rulebook with a 4-page pull-out reference section.

How To Setup Kings & Things

Players create the playing surface by randomly assembling hex tiles to form a map of the fictional continent of Kadab. A player is chosen randomly to start, and the game proceeds with each player following the eight phases of the turn.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Players vie to raise armies and build a citadel to become the next emperor.

Each turn consists of eight phases.

Players can increase their army, hire special characters, play events, move armies to explore or attack adjacent tiles, and improve their fortresses.

Entering new tiles involves drawing random counters, which may reveal monsters, treasures, or magic items.

The goal is to be the first player to complete a citadel and hold it for a full turn.

Player Experience

**Kings & Things** is known for its blend of strategy and luck. Players must navigate random encounters and battles while managing resources and building their fortresses. The game is praised for its fun and unpredictable gameplay, although some critics note that the endgame can become laborious and dependent on random chance.

Pros

Engaging and unpredictable gameplay

Combines strategy and luck

High replayability due to the random assembly of the game board

Awarded the Charles S. Roberts Award for “Best Fantasy or Science Fiction Game of 1986”.

Cons

Endgame can be laborious and time-consuming

Victory heavily dependent on random encounters

Rulebook, although straightforward, can be lengthy.

Personal Thoughts on Kings & Things

**Kings & Things** is ideal for players who enjoy fantasy-themed games with a mix of strategy and luck. It is best suited for groups of four players looking for a game that can fill an evening with excitement and unpredictability. However, players seeking games with more controlled outcomes may find the random elements too dominant.

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