Cleopatra and the Society of Architects (2006)

Cleopatra and the Society of Architects

“Cleopatra and the Society of Architects” is a board game designed by Bruno Cathala and Ludovic Maublanc, published in 2006 by Days of Wonder, and illustrated by Julien Delval and Cyrille Daujean. The game is set in the ancient world of Egypt and allows players to take on the role of architects trying to build parts of Cleopatra’s new palace to gain her favor.

Game Components of Cleopatra and the Society of Architects

Rulebook

Five punchboards containing various building pieces (Quarry)
– Sphinxes
– Obelisks
– Main doorframes
– Walls of the palace
– Garden mosaics
– Pedestal and throne

Resource cards (artisan, stone, marble, lapis-lazuli, wood)

Talent tokens (money)

Corruption Amulets

Pyramids of Corruption

Dice on Altar Summary Sheets

Market cards

Character cards

Statues of Anubis for sanctuaries[5!.

How To Setup Cleopatra and the Society of Architects

To set up the game, players first construct the framework of Cleopatra’s palace using the game box and two boards. The Quarry, containing all the building pieces, is prepared, and each player receives a Summary Sheet. The Market is formed from the resource cards, and each player starts with a set of basic resources. The Pyramids of Corruption are distributed to each player to secretly store their Corruption Amulets.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Resource Collection: Players collect resource cards to trade for building pieces.

Building: Players build parts of the palace using resources, earning talents.

Corruption: Players can gain Corruption Amulets through special character cards or shady deals.

Offerings: Players can make secret bids to the Great Priest to lose Corruption Amulets.

Sanctuaries: Players can build sanctuaries to place Corruption Amulets at game end.

Objective

The objective is to become the wealthiest architect by constructing valuable parts of the palace while avoiding the most corruption. The game ends when Cleopatra completes her inspection of the palace. The player with the most Corruption Amulets is fed to Cleopatra’s crocodile and cannot win. The remaining player with the most talents wins.

Player Experience

**Cleopatra and the Society of Architects** is designed for a fun and interactive experience, especially suitable for families and casual gamers. The game is easy to learn, with simple rules, making it accessible to non-gamers as well. However, die-hard gamers might find it less challenging due to the element of luck. The game’s theme and 3D components add to its appeal, creating an immersive experience of building an ancient Egyptian palace.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it accessible to new players.

Family Friendly: Suitable for players aged 10 and above.

Interactive: Engaging gameplay with resource collection and building.

Immersive Theme: 3D components and ancient Egyptian setting.

Social Interaction: Players can negotiate and strategize together.

Cons

Luck Element: Some gamers might find the game too luck-dependent.

Limited Strategy: Less complexity for hardcore gamers.

Corruption Mechanic: Managing Corruption Amulets can be stressful and unpredictable.

Personal Thoughts on Cleopatra and the Society of Architects

This game is perfect for those looking for a light-hearted, fun experience with friends and family. It’s an excellent choice for casual game nights due to its easy-to-pick-up rules and engaging gameplay. While it may not satisfy the strategic cravings of hardcore gamers, it offers a unique blend of resource management and thematic immersion that makes it well worth playing. The game’s innovative use of 3D components and its corrupting mechanic add layers of excitement and strategy, making it a standout in its category.

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