Artus (2011) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Artus is a board game released in 2011 by alea, designed by the renowned duo of Michael Kiesling and Wolfgang Kramer. Set in a medieval theme, the game is designed for 2-4 players, with a runtime of around 60 minutes and recommended for ages 9 and up. With stunning artwork by Martin Hoffmann, Markus Schmuck, Claus Stephan, and Mirko Suzuki, Artus promises a visually immersive gaming experience.

Game Components of Artus

Game board

Player tokens

King token

Point tiles

Other thematic components related to the Arthurian legend

How To Setup Artus

To set up the game, players first place the game board in the middle of the playing area. Each player chooses a token and places it on the board according to the starting rules. The king token is also positioned on the board. Players then receive a set of point tiles. The setup is relatively straightforward, preparing players for the strategic gameplay that follows.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Duration: The game consists of eleven rounds.

Player Movement: Players move their tokens around the board, strategically positioning themselves to gain points.

King’s Influence: A new king can come into power, changing the layout and requiring players to adapt their strategies.

Objective: The player with the most points after eleven rounds wins the game.

Balance and Strategy: The game is perfectly balanced, requiring tough decisions after the initial rounds.

Player Experience

**Artus** starts off deceptively simple but quickly evolves into a game that demands careful consideration and strategic planning. Players must navigate the board, leveraging the king’s influence and their own token placements to maximize their score. The game’s abstract nature and thematic twist keep players engaged and challenged.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Despite its simple start, the game offers a lot of tough calls and deep strategic play.

Thematic Engagement: The Arthurian theme adds a unique and interesting twist to the abstract strategy genre.

Balanced Gameplay: The game is well-balanced, ensuring no player has an overwhelming advantage.

Cons

Learning Curve: While the initial setup is easy, the game becomes complex quickly, which might intimidate new players.

Length: The game spans eleven rounds, which can be time-consuming for some players.

Personal Thoughts on Artus

**Artus** is ideal for players who enjoy abstract strategy games and are looking for a challenge that goes beyond the surface level. It is particularly suited for experienced board game enthusiasts who appreciate games that require strategic thinking and adaptation. However, new players may find the increasing complexity after the initial rounds to be a significant learning hurdle.

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