Royal Palace (2008) Board Game

Royal Palace is a board game designed by Xavier Georges and published by Filosofia Éditions in in 2008. The game is set in the Age of Reason and incorporates elements of strategy and area control. With stunning artwork by Michael Menzel, Royal Palace has become a favorite among board game enthusiasts for its engaging gameplay and beautiful design.

Game Components of Royal Palace

Game Board: The castle park with 9 places of the castle.

Noble Tiles: 42 tiles that represent nobles strolling through the castle park.

Castle Spaces: 9 spaces arranged in a 3×3 grid.

Privilege Cards: 36 cards, 4 each of 9 different types.

Gold Coins: 33 coins (12 x 3, 21 x 1).

Servants: 100 wooden servants in 4 colors.

Summary Cards: For player reference.

How To Setup Royal Palace

To set up the game, start by placing the game board in the middle of the table. Shuffle the 42 noble tiles face down and place 36 of them randomly on the board, turning them face up. Return the remaining 6 tiles to the box. Shuffle the 9 castle spaces and arrange them randomly in a 3×3 grid below the board. For the first game, it is recommended to use a suggested order. Shuffle the privilege cards and place them face down next to the board. Sort the gold coins by value and place them as a supply next to the board. Each player chooses a color and takes 18 servants, placing them in their play area. Each player then places 3 servants on the stairway and 2 on the parade ground. The starting player distributes gold to the other players and then each player places 5 servants on the castle places of their choice.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Majority Control: Players place servants to control areas of the castle, aiming to have the majority in each space.

Servant Placement: Players take turns placing servants in different castle spaces to gain benefits such as gold, privilege cards, or nobles.

Privilege Cards: These cards offer special abilities and scoring opportunities.

Noble Recruitment: Players enlist nobles to gain points or special privileges.

Game End Scoring: Points are scored based on majority control, nobles recruited, and privilege cards.

Player Experience

**Royal Palace** offers a strategic and engaging experience where players must carefully plan and place their servants to maximize their benefits. The game requires a balance between short-term gains and long-term strategic planning, making it appealing to fans of area control and majority mechanics. The inclusion of privilege cards adds a layer of complexity, allowing players to disrupt their opponents’ plans or enhance their own.

Pros

Strategic Depth: The game requires thoughtful planning and execution.

Replayability: Random setup of noble tiles and castle spaces ensures different games each time.

Interactive: Players can influence each other’s strategies through servant placement and privilege cards.

Cons

Complexity: The game has multiple mechanics and rules, which can be overwhelming for new players.

Length: Games can take a significant amount of time due to the strategic nature and the number of turns.

Luck Element: The random placement of noble tiles and castle spaces can introduce an element of luck.

Personal Thoughts on Royal Palace

**Royal Palace** is ideal for experienced board game enthusiasts who enjoy strategic games with depth. It is particularly suited for those who appreciate area control and majority mechanics, as well as those who enjoy the works of Reiner Knizia. However, new players might find the initial setup and rules complex, so it may not be the best introduction to board gaming. Nonetheless, for those who embrace strategy and are willing to invest time in learning the game, **Royal Palace** offers a rich and satisfying gaming experience.

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