The Rise of Queensdale (2018) Board Game

The Rise of Queensdale is a legacy-style board game designed by Inka and Markus Brand, known for their work on games like Village and Exit: The Game series. Released in 2018 by alea, the game is set in a medieval kingdom where players take on the role of competing noble families looking to expand and develop their territories.

Game Components of The Rise of Queensdale

Dozens of different types of wooden tokens (huts, meeples, player score markers)

City building board

Scoreboard (epoch tracker, fame counter)

Action board

Player boards

Building tiles

Wooden dice

Herb tiles

Figurines (pink gleemen, brown craftsmen, white courier pawn)

Courier cards

Character boards and playing pieces

Red seals and guilders.

How To Setup The Rise of Queensdale

To set up the game, assemble the game board and place the Actions board and the Fame board nearby. Distribute the various resource bits into their respective areas. Shuffle the herb tiles and place them randomly on the board. Prepare the draw bag with the figurines. Each player selects a character board and places their morale and fame counters on the Fame board. Each player starts with a single herb hut and receives a red seal and three guilders for the first game. Read the applicable Story card and follow its instructions before starting the game with dice rolling.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Type: Narrative-driven, legacy, dice rolling, worker placement

Player Count: 2-4

Playing Time: 45-60 minutes

Age: 12+

Objective: Players aim to build different types of structures to earn fame points and reach their epoch goals. Each game advances to a new epoch with higher goals, and the ultimate goal is to reach epoch 9 and score a total of 90 points in a single game.

Gameplay: Players roll dice, place them to collect resources (lumber, stone, clay, guilders), and take actions to build structures. The game includes storytelling elements through Story cards, which introduce new challenges and goals.

Epoch Goals: Players have individual goals that increase as the campaign progresses. Multiple players can reach their goals in the same game, with the winner being the one who surpassed their goal by the most points.

Player Experience

The Rise of Queensdale offers a competitive yet inclusive experience, where each player works towards their own epoch goals. This mechanic ensures that everyone can feel accomplished, even if they don’t win every game. The game fosters a commitment to regular play sessions, making it an excellent way to spend time with friends and family. The narrative and medieval setting create a shared adventure, making players feel like they are part of a story.

Pros

Engaging Narrative: The game’s story and themes keep players engaged and invested in the campaign.

Competitive Yet Inclusive: Allows multiple players to reach their goals, promoting a sense of accomplishment for everyone.

Built-in Catch-Up Mechanism: Ensures that the game remains balanced, preventing any player from running away with the lead.

High Replayability: The legacy aspect and varying epoch goals provide a unique experience each time the game is played.

Well-Designed Components: The game components are durable and well-made, enhancing the overall gaming experience.

Cons

Time Commitment: Requires a regular time commitment to complete the full campaign.

Complex Setup: Initial setup can be complex, but it becomes more streamlined as players become familiar with the game.

Dependence on Story Cards: The game’s progression and challenges are heavily dependent on the Story cards, which might not appeal to everyone.

Personal Thoughts on The Rise of Queensdale

The Rise of Queensdale is perfect for those who enjoy narrative-driven games, legacy games, and competitive worker placement mechanics. It’s an excellent choice for families or friend groups looking to commit to a series of game sessions, fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared adventure. This game is particularly suited for players who appreciate strategic thinking and the evolution of game mechanics over multiple sessions.

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