City States of Arklyrell (1983)

City States of Arklyrell

City States of Arklyrell is a fantasy board wargame for 2-4 players published by Task Force Games in 1983. The game is set in the world of Arklyrell, where players fight for control of the eight Citadels found on the map. The Game Components of City States of Arklyrell consist of a 16-page rulebook, a 17″ x 21″ color map, and 54 counters.

Why is City States of Arklyrell Popular?

City States of Arklyrell is a classic microgame that has been enjoyed by many board game enthusiasts since its release in 1983. The game is significant because it is a pastiche of game mechanics that have been used before, re-assembled in a package that is not noticeably more interesting or exciting than its predecessors.

Game Components of City States of Arklyrell

Map: A 17″ x 21″ color map representing the world of Arklyrell, featuring six continents and polar regions.

Rulebook: A 16-page rulebook outlining the game mechanics.

Counters: 54 die-cut single-sided counters, including leader counters and military units, with some units having identical ratings but different owners tracked by ID numbers.

How To Setup City States of Arklyrell

The game has a fixed setup where the beginning hexes for combat units and leaders are specified. Magic items are scrambled and placed face down in designated hexes to be picked up by players during the game. Each player starts with their unique leader counter and must recruit units to expand their control. The map wraps around, allowing movement between the east and west edges.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Moves Units: Units have allowance factors affected by terrain like deserts or mountains. Players use boats or giant rocs for intercontinental movement.

Recruitment: Each player can attempt to recruit one unit per turn using their leader.

Resolves Combat: Combat is initiated by the active player and resolved with die rolls modified by unit combat values, terrain, and defender type. Possible outcomes include no result, retreat of attackers or defenders, or unit elimination.

Magic Items: Seven magic items are scattered across the map; five are beneficial, while two are fake and penalize the player.

Objective: The player controlling the most citadels after 25 turns wins. Alternatively, a player can win immediately by controlling four citadels in a three- or four-player game or five citadels in a two-player game.

Player Experience

Players engage in strategic recruitment and movement to control citadels and expand their influence across the world of Arklyrell. The game involves a significant amount of unit management and tracking, as players must keep a roster to identify which units they control. The simplicity of the game allows for a few hours of gameplay, even with multiple participants.

Pros

Quick Gameplay: The game can be played to a conclusion in a few hours.

Simple Mechanics: Easy to learn and play, making it accessible to new players.

Strategic Depth: Players must strategize unit recruitment and movement to achieve victory.

Cons

Unit Tracking: There is no built-in mechanism to track unit ownership, requiring players to maintain a unit roster.

Combat System: Described as pedestrian, with no original features beyond morale effects.

Repetitive Gameplay: Much of the play involves repetitive actions like recruiting units and moving around the map.

Personal Thoughts on City States of Arklyrell

City States of Arklyrell is ideal for those who enjoy straightforward, strategic fantasy wargames that can be completed in a single session. It is particularly suited for players who appreciate the simplicity of microgames from the 1980s but may not be as appealing to those seeking complex or innovative gameplay mechanics. The game’s world and map have also been noted for their potential use in RPG settings, adding an extra layer of versatility for creative players.

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