Chang Cheng (2007) Board Game

Chang Cheng, designed by Giuseppe Rava and released in 2007, is a board game that takes players back to ancient China during the time of the Great Wall construction. Players take on the role of generals overseeing the construction of the wall and must strategically place their workers to gain control of different sections of the wall.

Game Components of Chang Cheng

Boards: Five cardstock boards, four of which are double-sided and depict the Great Wall of China, and one scoring track board).

Wall Pieces: 64 plastic wall pieces and towers used to build the Great Wall.

Action Markers: Six action markers per player, each with unique powers.

Reputation and Threat Counters: Randomly assigned counters that modify province scores.

Pawn and Scoring Tokens: Used for tracking player scores.

Optional Event Cards: Four optional event cards that can be used to add additional scoring methods.

How To Setup Chang Cheng

To set up the game, two of the four double-sided boards are placed adjacent to each other on the table. Each board has three Chinese provinces and three Mongol territories, with reputation counters placed face-up in the Chinese provinces and threat counters placed face-down in the Mongol territories. Each player chooses a color and receives 14 single wall pieces, one double wall piece, one tower, and six action markers. The oldest player goes first, and play proceeds clockwise.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Actions: Players can choose from five actions, including placing wall pieces, using action markers, and placing towers.

Province Scoring: When all wall spaces in a Chinese province are filled, the player with the majority of wall pieces in that province scores points based on the province’s value and reputation counter.

Mongol Attack: At the end of the game, players lose points for having the majority of wall pieces in Mongol territories, unless they have a tower in that region.

Game Expansion: New boards are added as three provinces are completed, expanding the game area.

Player Experience

Chang Cheng is a game of strategic placement and tactical maneuvering, where players aim to build parts of the Great Wall to protect Chinese provinces while avoiding penalties from the Mongol territories. The game is known for its minimal luck factor, making it highly tactical and analytical. Games typically last about 60 minutes, and the game is best with three players, though it supports two to four players.

Pros

High Tactical Depth: The game offers deep strategic gameplay with minimal luck.

Beautiful Components: The game features high-quality, visually appealing components, including plastic wall pieces and evocative Chinese artwork.

Replayability: The game has good replayability due to the random setup of boards and counters.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players aged 10 and up.

Cons

Board Complexity: The boards do not fit together entirely freely due to their diagonal cuts.

Luck in Initial Setup: Some luck is involved in the initial placement of reputation and threat counters.

Personal Thoughts on Chang Cheng

Chang Cheng is ideal for those who enjoy area control and strategic placement games. It is a great addition to any board game collection, especially for those who appreciate games with minimal luck and high tactical depth. The game’s theme and components are engaging, making it a visually appealing and immersive experience. While it may not be the best fit for casual gamers looking for a light, luck-based experience, it is perfect for gamers who enjoy analytical and strategic gameplay.

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