Orléans Stories (2019) Board Game

Orléans Stories is a standalone game in the Orléans series, designed by Reiner Stockhausen and published by dlp games in in 2019. It is set in medieval France and combines elements of deck building, bag building, and pool building mechanics.

## Game Components of Orléans Stories
– Modular boards tailored for different scenarios
– Resource and worker trays
– Various components including buildings, goods, and beneficial deeds
– Personal boards and player markers for each player
– Scenario books, one for each player, guiding the game progression
– A common supply board for resource management.

## How To Setup Orléans Stories
Setting up **Orléans Stories** involves preparing the game board based on the number of players, distributing the resources, and organizing the components specific to each scenario. The game comes with a rule book that outlines the basic setup and scenario-specific instructions. Each scenario has its own small book that guides players through the setup and gameplay. It is advisable to sort and bag the components differently after the first play to simplify future setups.

## Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
– **Bag-Building System**: Players draw followers from their bag and assign them to different spaces on their player board or to buildings and beneficial deeds.
– **Epoch-Based Progression**: The game is divided into epochs, each with its own historical background and conditions for progression.
– **Scenario-Specific Objectives**: Each scenario has unique objectives and additional rules, such as “The First Kingdom” and “The King’s Favor”.
– **Resource Management**: Players manage resources, technologies, goods, and beneficial deeds to achieve their objectives.
– **Player Interaction**: Limited downtime and clean, orderly resolution of conflicts due to limited space and resources on the game board.

## Player Experience
**Orléans Stories** offers a complex and engaging experience, particularly for fans of eurogames. The game is known for its long gameplay, often lasting around 4 hours, but the perceived downtime is minimal due to simultaneous planning and quick action resolution. New players may face a steep learning curve, especially if they are not familiar with the bag-building mechanics of **Orléans**. However, the game is highly enjoyable and offers different experiences with each scenario.

### Pros
– **Engaging Scenarios**: Two distinct scenarios provide varied gameplay experiences.
– **High Replayability**: Scenarios can be played multiple times with different outcomes.
– **Good Quality Components**: The game includes well-made components and a useful resource tray.
– **Minimal Downtime**: Simultaneous planning and quick action resolution keep the game moving.

### Cons
– **Long Game Time**: Games can last up to 4 hours, which may be a deterrent for some players.
– **Steep Learning Curve**: New players, especially those unfamiliar with **Orléans**, may find the game challenging to learn.
– **Limited Scenario Depth**: Some players find that the stories lack real playful depth and become less engaging after the first play.

## Personal Thoughts on Orléans Stories
**Orléans Stories** is ideal for fans of complex eurogames and those who enjoy scenario-based gameplay. While it may not be the best fit for players who prefer shorter game sessions or are new to bag-building mechanics, it offers a rich and varied experience for those willing to invest the time. The game’s innovative approach with different stories and scenarios makes it a compelling addition to the **Orléans** series.

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