Royal Visit (2006) Board Game

Royal Visit is a board game designed by Reiner Knizia and released in in 2006. The game is set in a medieval theme, where players take on the roles of different characters trying to gain favor with the king and queen. The game features beautiful artwork by various artists, adding to the immersive experience of the game.

Game Components of Royal Visit

Board: Made of fabric and unrolls for gameplay.

Characters: 5 wooden pawns (1 King, 2 Guards, 1 Wizard, 1 Jester).

Crown Token: A wooden token.

Cards: 54 standard-sized cards featuring the characters.

Rulebook: Clear and easy to follow.

How To Setup Royal Visit

To set up, place the King in the Middle Space on the board, flanked by Guards on each player’s side. Each player then blindly draws a final pawn (either the Wizard or Jester) and places it on the next closest square on their side next to the Guards. Each player manages a hand of 8 cards throughout the game, which refreshes after each turn.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card Play: Players use cards to draw characters towards their Chateau. Each character card has specific movement abilities (e.g., King moves one space, Guards can move individually or together, Wizard and Jester have special abilities).

Character Abilities:

King: Moves one space; two King cards move the entire King’s Court one space.

Guards: Must always be on either side of the King; Guard cards can move one or both Guards or the entire King’s Court.

Wizard: Bypasses card play to draw any character to the Wizard’s space.

Jester: Acts as a wild card, moving any pawn the number of spots displayed on the card.

Objective: Draw the King and his court to your Chateau, or capture the Crown Token by moving it into your Chateau.

Player Experience

Royal Visit is designed to be quick and accessible, with gameplay lasting around 20 minutes. It’s easy to learn and set up, making it a great gateway game for new players. However, its simplicity might lead seasoned gamers to lose interest after a few games. The game requires strategic planning and optimal use of character abilities to succeed.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Quick setup and simple rules.

Strategic Depth: Requires thoughtful hand management and planning.

High-Quality Components: Wooden pawns and Crown Token, although some users have noted quality issues with the board and cards.

Gateway Game: Excellent introduction to board games for new players.

Cons

Simplicity: May not be engaging enough for experienced gamers.

Quality Issues: Some users report poor quality of the game board and cards.

Limited Replayability: Simple mechanics might lead to repetitive gameplay.

Personal Thoughts on Royal Visit

Royal Visit is ideal for new gamers looking for an introduction to strategic board games. Its accessibility and quick gameplay make it a great addition to any collection, especially for those who enjoy simple yet thoughtful hand management games. However, seasoned gamers might find it too simplistic and lacking in complexity. If you’re looking for a game to draw non-gamers into the hobby, Royal Visit is a solid choice, but if you’re seeking a more complex experience, you might want to look elsewhere.

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