Castell (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Castell is a board game released in 2018 by designer Aaron Vanderbeek and published by Banana Games. The game is inspired by the traditional Catalan sport of building human towers, known as castells. Players take on the role of a team leader trying to recruit and train the best castellers to create the most impressive human tower.

Game Components of Castell

Player boards

Casteller cards

Festival cards

Region tiles

Tower pieces

Scorepad

How To Setup Castell

To set up the game, players start by placing the region tiles to form the map of Catalonia. Each player selects a player board and a starting set of Casteller cards. The festival deck is shuffled, and a set number of festival cards are drawn and placed face up. The tower pieces are set aside for later use.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Recruitment Mechanics: Players recruit Castellers from different regions of Catalonia.

Festival Visits: Players visit various Catalonian cities to participate in festivals.

Tower Building: The primary objective is to build the tallest and most stable towers using the recruited Castellers.

Resource Management: Players manage resources to expand their team and learn new tower-building techniques.

Game Duration: The game is divided into 10 rounds, each representing a month in the festival year.

Player Experience

In **Castell**, players embark on a journey through the festivals of Catalonia, strategizing to build the most impressive towers. The game combines elements of resource management, recruitment, and spatial reasoning, making it engaging and challenging. Players must balance their team’s skills and the demands of each festival to achieve victory.

Pros

Strategic Depth: The game offers a rich mix of strategic decisions, from recruiting the right Castellers to managing resources effectively.

Cultural Immersion: Players get to experience the unique culture of Catalonia and the tradition of Castellers.

Replayability: The game includes multiple festival cards and random events, ensuring high replayability.

Cons

Complexity: The game may have a steep learning curve due to its intricate mechanics and multiple components.

Length: Some players might find the 10-round structure too long or too short, depending on their preference.

Personal Thoughts on Castell

**Castell** is ideal for players who enjoy strategic planning, cultural immersion, and games with a strong thematic focus. It is particularly suited for those interested in unique cultural practices and who appreciate games that combine different mechanics such as recruitment, resource management, and spatial reasoning. While it may not be the best fit for casual gamers due to its complexity, **Castell** offers a rewarding experience for those willing to delve into its depths.

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