Valley of the Kings: Afterlife (2015) Board Game

Valley of the Kings: Afterlife is a deck-building card game set in ancient Egypt, where players are archaeologists searching for treasures in the Valley of the Kings. Released in 2015 by Alderac Entertainment Group, the game has gained popularity for its unique theme and gameplay mechanics.

Game Components of Valley of the Kings: Afterlife

Deck of cards including jewelry, chambers, weapons, tomb art, and other treasures

Crumbling pyramid mechanism

Tomb tiles

Reference cards

Randomizer cards (if combined with other games in the series)

Player tokens and guides

How To Setup Valley of the Kings: Afterlife

To set up the game, each player starts with a basic deck and a tomb tile. The deck of available cards is shuffled and arranged in a “crumbling pyramid” structure. Players also receive any starting cards or powers as per the game rules. The objective is to fill their tombs with the most valuable artifacts before the game ends.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Deck-Building Mechanic: Players build their decks by acquiring cards from the pyramid.

Crumbling Pyramid: The pyramid structure determines which cards are available for purchase each turn.

Card Utilization: Each card can be used in three different ways: to purchase other cards, to perform an action, or to be buried in the tomb for points.

Objective: Collect and bury the most valuable sets of artifacts in your tomb to score points.

Game End: The game ends when all cards have been bought or disposed of, and all players have had an equal number of turns.

Player Experience

In **Valley of the Kings: Afterlife**, players must balance the need to use cards for immediate actions and the need to bury them for end-game points. The game requires strategic thinking and planning, as players must decide which cards to keep in their deck and which to bury. The game supports 1-4 players, with adjustable strategies depending on the number of players.

Pros

Innovative Mechanics: The crumbling pyramid and multi-use cards add depth to the deck-building genre.

Strategic Depth: Players must balance short-term needs with long-term scoring.

Replayability: The random nature of the card availability ensures different games each time.

Combination with Other Games: Can be mixed with the original *Valley of the Kings* and *Last Rites* for varied gameplay.

Cons

Complex Rules: New players may find the multi-use card system and crumbling pyramid mechanism complex to grasp initially.

Limited Player Count: Limited to 1-4 players when played standalone.

Personal Thoughts on Valley of the Kings: Afterlife

**Valley of the Kings: Afterlife** is ideal for fans of deck-building games who are looking for more strategic depth. It is particularly suited for players who enjoy planning and managing resources over multiple turns. The game’s unique mechanics and the ability to combine it with other games in the series make it a standout in the deck-building genre. However, it may not be the best choice for casual gamers or those new to deck-building games due to its complexity.

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