Castellan (2013) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Castellan is a two-player abstract strategy board game that was released in in 2013. It is designed by Richard Kerr and Ben Williams, with artwork by Steve Jackson Games. The game is set in a medieval theme, where players compete to build the largest castle by strategically placing wall and tower pieces on a grid.

Game Components of Castellan

108 detailed castle pieces (walls and towers)

28 cards (wall deck and tower deck)

Keeps in different colors (green/yellow and red/blue sets)

Rules in multiple languages (English, Spanish, French, Italian, and German for the green/yellow set)[4%.

How To Setup Castellan

To set up the game, sort the Keep colors and shuffle the cards into their respective wall and tower decks. Each player starts with four cards. The castle walls and towers can remain in the box until needed. Setup takes no more than 3 minutes, and with a brief rules explanation, players can start playing within 5-10 minutes.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card Decks: Each player has a wall deck and a tower deck, with cards depicting the components to be played.

Turn Structure: Players can play as many cards as they want per turn but draw only one card at the end of their turn.

Special Cards: Three special cards allow an extra draw.

Objective: The goal is to create courtyards and subdivide existing ones while preventing the opponent from doing the same. Points are scored based on the number of tower pieces surrounding a completed courtyard.

Player Experience

Castellan offers a strategic yet straightforward gameplay experience. The two-player version is relatively simplistic and quick, lasting about 45 minutes. However, the game becomes more complex and engaging with three or four players, using two sets of the game. The four-player version adds more strategy and variability, making it more appealing to experienced gamers[3%.

Pros

Quick Setup: Fast setup time, getting players into the game quickly.

Strategic Depth: Requires thoughtful planning and strategy to maximize scores.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for young players due to its simplicity.

Multi-Language Support: Rules available in several languages.

Cons

Simplicity in Two-Player Mode: Some players find the two-player version too simplistic.

Cost for Expansion: Combining sets for three or four players can be expensive.

Overpackaging: The game comes in somewhat excessive packaging.

Personal Thoughts on Castellan

Castellan is ideal for those looking for a light to medium-weight strategy game that is easy to learn but still offers depth. It’s perfect for families, casual gamers, and as a quick filler game. However, experienced gamers might find the two-player version too straightforward and may prefer the more complex dynamics of the four-player version. The game’s visual appeal and the satisfaction of building a castle make it a delightful addition to any game collection.

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