The Walled City: Londonderry & Borderlands (2014) Board Game

The Walled City: Londonderry & Borderlands is a board game designed by Josh Cappel and published in in 2014. The game is set in the Renaissance period and focuses on city building and political aspects. Players are tasked with building the city of Londonderry, while also expanding their territory and influence in the borderlands.

Game Components of The Walled City: Londonderry & Borderlands

Game Board: Double-sided, featuring Londonderry and Borderlands maps.

Guild Cards: Each city has its own set of Guild Cards with unique powers.

Road and Wall Pieces: Used to build and divide the city into neighborhoods and construct city walls.

Citizen and Noble Tokens: Representing loyal peasants and nobles.

Watchmen Tokens: For nobles guarding the city towers.

Dimensions and Weight: 12 × 12 × 2.5 inches, 3.5 lbs.

How To Setup The Walled City: Londonderry & Borderlands

Setting up the game involves placing the game board, which can be flipped to switch between the Londonderry and Borderlands maps. Players then draw and distribute the necessary Guild Cards, road and wall pieces, and citizen and noble tokens according to the game’s instructions. The setup is designed to be straightforward, allowing players to quickly dive into the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Area Majority: Players compete to control the most neighborhoods.

Card Play: Use Guild Cards to build roads, populate neighborhoods, and construct walls.

City Expansion: Expand the city by building roads and walls.

Scoring: Points are awarded based on the number of loyal citizens and nobles in controlled neighborhoods.

Objective: Become the first mayor by securing the most votes through area majority.

Player Experience

In The Walled City: Londonderry & Borderlands, players engage in a dynamic city-building competition. The game is easy to learn but offers deep strategic layers, making it appealing to both casual and experienced gamers. With two distinct maps and the ability to mix Guild cards, the game provides high replayability.

Pros

High Replayability: Dual maps and mixable Guild cards offer countless combinations.

Strategic Depth: Easy to learn, but with complex strategies.

Engaging Theme: City-building and area control mechanics are engaging and immersive.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players aged 13 and above.

Cons

Setup Time: Though setup is straightforward, it can take a few minutes to prepare.

Complexity: While the game is medium-complexity, it may not be ideal for very casual gamers.

Player Count: Best with 2-4 players; may not be as engaging with fewer players.

Personal Thoughts on The Walled City: Londonderry & Borderlands

The Walled City: Londonderry & Borderlands is an excellent choice for board game enthusiasts who enjoy strategic city-building and area control games. It is particularly suited for players who appreciate a balance between simplicity in learning and depth in gameplay. The game’s dual maps and interchangeable Guild cards make it a great addition to any board game collection, offering a fresh experience with each play.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.