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Royals (2014) Board Game

ByMichail

Royals is a board game designed by Peter Hawes and published by ABACUSSPIELE in in 2014. It falls under the category of area majority/influence, open drafting, and set collection. The game has received critical acclaim for its strategic depth and engaging gameplay.

Game Components of Royals

  • Game board featuring European cities and countries
  • Country cards of various colors
  • Intrigue cards
  • Noble tiles with different titles (e.g., Baron, Marshal)
  • Wooden cubes in different colors for each player
  • Title markers for each noble title
  • Country bonus tokens
  • Period scoring tokens

    How To Setup Royals

    To set up the game, place the game board in the center of the table and distribute the tokens according to their shapes, colors, and numbers on the board. Each player chooses a color and takes the corresponding wooden cubes. Shuffle the Country cards and Intrigue cards to form two separate decks, with three Country cards placed face-up next to the draw pile. Each noble on the board has a corresponding Title marker placed beside the board.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Draw Cards:** Players draw either 3 Country cards or 1 Country card and 1 Intrigue card.
  • Play Cards:** Players can play Country cards to claim nobles or use Intrigue cards to take over nobles controlled by other players.
  • Claim Nobles:** To claim a noble, a player must play the required number of matching color Country cards and place their cube on the noble’s portrait and the corresponding Title marker.
  • Period Scoring:** After each period (when the Country card deck runs out), players score points based on their influence in each country.
  • Game Objective:** The player with the most victory points at the end of the game, earned through controlling nobles, countries, and period scoring, wins.

    Player Experience

    Playing Royals feels like being a powerful royal pulling strings and making progress, but also facing sabotage from other royal families. The game is highly interactive, with turns moving quickly and minimal downtime. Players must adapt their strategies based on the actions of their opponents, making it engaging for both new and experienced gamers. The theme of influencing nobles and dominating countries is present throughout, adding to the fun and chaotic experience.

    Pros

  • Engaging Gameplay:** Tense and interactive gameplay with multiple strategies.
  • Replayability:** Numerous choices provide replay value.
  • Simple to Learn:** Easy setup and rules make it accessible for new players.
  • High Interaction:** Players must adapt to each other’s moves, enhancing the game experience.
  • Varied Scoring:** Multiple ways to score points keep the game interesting.

    Cons

  • Theme Not Original:** The theme, while engaging, is not very original.
  • Tie Breakers:** Ties can result in reduced or no points for tied players, which may be frustrating.
  • Strategy Balance:** Spreading too thin can risk not gaining significant points in any one area.

    Personal Thoughts on Royals

    Royals is a great gateway game for those new to board games, thanks to its simple rules and fast-paced gameplay. However, it also appeals to experienced gamers due to its depth in strategy and the need for adaptability. It’s ideal for anyone looking for a game that combines set collection and area control mechanics with high player interaction. If you enjoy games like Ticket to Ride but are looking for something with a bit more complexity and intrigue, Royals is a solid choice.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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