Architects of the West Kingdom (2018) Board Game

Architects of the West Kingdom is a city-building board game designed by S J Macdonald and Shem Phillips, and published by Garphill Games in in 2018. Set in the medieval era, players take on the role of royal architects competing to impress the king with their constructions. With a blend of worker placement, resource management, and strategic decision-making, players must balance their actions to earn the most points and win the game.

Game Components of Architects of the West Kingdom

Game board

Player boards

Worker tokens

Resource tokens (stone, brick, wood, coin, gold, marble)

Virtue track

Building cards

Cathedral construction pieces

Apprentices and specialist tokens

Black market and town center action tokens

How To Setup Architects of the West Kingdom

To set up the game, each player receives a personal player board and a set of worker tokens. The main game board is placed in the center, featuring various locations for resource collection, apprentice recruitment, and building construction. The virtue track and cathedral construction pieces are also set up according to the instructions. Players start with a few resources and workers, and the game is ready to begin once all components are distributed and the boards are aligned.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Worker Placement: Players assign workers to different locations on the board to collect resources, recruit apprentices, and construct buildings.

Resource Collection: Gather resources such as stone, brick, wood, coin, gold, and marble.

Building Construction: Use resources to build various landmarks and advance work on the Archbishop’s Cathedral.

Virtue Track: Players’ virtue levels adjust based on their actions; virtuous actions increase virtue, while actions like using the black market decrease it.

Objective: The aim is to be the player with the most Victory Points (VP) at the game’s end, achieved by constructing buildings and advancing the cathedral.

Player Experience

In **Architects of the West Kingdom**, players navigate a complex web of resource management and moral decisions. The game is marked by its exponential resource collection mechanic, where each additional worker at a location yields more resources. This creates a dynamic where players must balance their need for resources against the risk of attracting the attention of rival architects, who can capture and imprison their workers. The game’s virtue system adds a layer of strategy, as players must weigh the benefits of underhanded actions against the potential penalties at game’s end.

Pros

Engaging Mechanics: The game combines worker placement with an intriguing virtue system, making each decision impactful.

Thematic Depth: Set in the Carolingian Empire, the game offers a rich historical context.

Competitive Automaton Mode: The solo mode is competitive and well-designed.

High-Quality Components: Beautiful artwork and great quality components enhance the gaming experience.

Cons

Complexity: The game has a medium to high complexity level, which may deter new players.

Length: Games typically last 60-80 minutes, which can be lengthy for some players.

Risk of Worker Capture: The mechanic of capturing workers can be frustrating and disrupt strategies.

Personal Thoughts on Architects of the West Kingdom

**Architects of the West Kingdom** is a game tailored for fans of strategic worker placement and those who enjoy games with moral dilemmas. It is ideal for players who appreciate medium to high complexity and are looking for a game that challenges them to balance short-term gains with long-term strategy. While it may not be the best fit for new board game enthusiasts due to its complexity, experienced players will find it engaging and rewarding. The game’s thematic depth and high-quality components make it a standout in its category.

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