The Red Cathedral (2020) Board Game
The Red Cathedral is a board game released in 2020 by Devir. Designed by Isra C. and Shei S., this game has quickly gained popularity for its unique gameplay mechanics and stunning artwork by Chema Román and Pedro Soto. Set in medieval Russia, players take on the roles of rival architects competing to build the grandest cathedral in the land.
Game Components of The Red Cathedral
How To Setup The Red Cathedral
Setting up The Red Cathedral involves several steps. First, the central Market Board and the Cathedral Construction site are placed in the middle of the playing area. The cathedral design is determined randomly based on the number of players, with setup cards scaled accordingly. Each player receives a personal board and six banners. Workshop tiles are placed on each cathedral card during setup. The game also includes random resource allocations and Guild cards, which add variability to each game session. While setup can take some time, it is manageable, especially with pre-prepared game components for quicker setups.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
– Rolling dice and acquiring resources from the Market Board.
– Reserving cathedral section cards (Scaffolding).
– Allocating resources to build and decorate reserved cathedral sections (Building and Decorating).
Player Experience
The Red Cathedral offers a engaging and strategic gameplay experience. Players must balance resource collection, section claiming, and building to maximize their scores. The game scales well from 1 to 4 players, though downtime increases slightly with more players. The inclusion of solo mode and varied setups ensures high replayability. The game’s components, such as the wooden resources and detailed artwork, add to its appeal. However, some actions, like claiming sections, can feel less dynamic compared to the more involved resource acquisition and building actions.
Pros
Cons
Personal Thoughts on The Red Cathedral
The Red Cathedral is an excellent choice for fans of Euro games and strategic resource management. It is suitable for players who enjoy calm, clinical gameplay with a depth of strategy. The game’s accessibility makes it a great introduction to more complex board games, while its replayability ensures it remains engaging for experienced players. However, it may not be the best fit for those seeking highly thematic or intense competitive games. Overall, it is a well-designed game that will appeal to anyone looking for a strategic and satisfying gaming experience.
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