Palaces (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Palaces is a board game designed by Gorilla Games and released in in 2018. It is set in the Renaissance period and combines elements of auction/bidding, deck building, hand management, and drafting. The game is designed for 2-4 players and has a runtime of around 45 minutes, making it a relatively quick and engaging gaming experience.

Game Components of Palaces

Three stacks of cards: Each stack contains different types of cards.

Bidding tokens: Represented by suits such as Gold, Silver, Crystal, and Marble.

Room cards: Used to build towers.

Player towers: Each player has two towers that must match each other.

How To Setup Palaces

To set up **Palaces**, players start by shuffling and placing the three stacks of cards within reach. Each player begins with a starting hand and two empty towers. The game is ready to start once all players have their initial hand and the stacks are in place.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card Drawing: The active player chooses to draw from one of the three stacks of cards.

Bidding: All players bid or drop out. Bids are valued based on the size of a suit (e.g., three-of-a-kind beats two-of-a-kind), and if the size matches, suits are compared (Gold > Silver > Crystal > Marble).

Card Activation: The highest bidder activates the card’s special effect and adds it to their discard pile.

Tower Building: The winner of the bid adds a room to one of their two towers.

Game Objective: The player with the tallest lower tower wins.

Player Experience

**Palaces** offers a dynamic and strategic gameplay experience. Players must balance bidding aggressively to gain valuable cards and building their towers efficiently. The game requires careful planning and tactical bidding, making it engaging for players who enjoy strategic depth.

Pros

Strategic Depth: The bidding mechanics and tower building require thoughtful planning.

Replayability: The random draw of cards and varying bid outcomes ensure different games each time.

Engaging Gameplay: Players are constantly involved in bidding and building.

Cons

Complexity: The bidding rules and suit comparisons can be confusing for new players.

Luck Factor: While minimal, the draw of cards can sometimes favor certain players.

Personal Thoughts on Palaces

**Palaces** is ideal for players who enjoy strategic games with a blend of luck and skill. It is particularly suited for those familiar with deck-building and bidding mechanics, although the rules are clear enough for new players to learn quickly. The game’s short playing time and engaging mechanics make it a great addition to any board game collection, especially for fans of strategic gameplay. However, it may not be the best fit for very young players due to its complexity and the need for strategic thinking.

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