Dreaming Spires (2014) Board Game

Dreaming Spires is a board game released in 2014, designed by Amber Anderson and Jessie Price. The game is set in the Age of Reason, focusing on city building and medieval themes. Players take on the role of architects competing to build the most prestigious university in Oxford.

Game Components of Dreaming Spires

Building tiles

Character cards representing eccentric historical figures

Event cards depicting tumultuous events in Oxford’s history

Scholar cards for admissions

Various tokens for tracking progress and resources

How To Setup Dreaming Spires

To set up the game, players start by creating the base of their college using initial building tiles. Each player receives a set of starting resources and character cards. The event deck is shuffled, and a starting event is drawn to set the stage for the game. Players arrange their tiles according to simple placement rules, ensuring that the college expands logically over time.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Tile Placement: Players place building tiles to expand their college.

Resource Management: Manage resources to build new structures and recruit scholars.

Character Interactions: Utilize character abilities to gain advantages.

Event Management: Respond to historical events that affect gameplay.

Objective: Lead the college through different eras, accumulating points by building a well-rounded institution with notable scholars and structures.

Player Experience

In Dreaming Spires, players embark on a historical journey, navigating the challenges and opportunities of building and managing an Oxford college. The game combines strategic planning with the unpredictability of historical events, making each playthrough unique. Players must balance resource management, tile placement, and character interactions to achieve success.

Pros

Historical Depth: The game brings Oxford’s history to life with detailed characters and events.

Replayability: High variability due to the event deck and character choices.

Strategic Depth: Requires careful planning and resource management.

Thematic Integration: Mechanics align well with the theme of building a college.

Cons

Complexity: Can be overwhelming for new players due to the number of mechanics.

Length: Games can take up to 90 minutes, which may deter some players.

Learning Curve: Requires a significant amount of time to understand all the rules and interactions.

Personal Thoughts on Dreaming Spires

Dreaming Spires is ideal for fans of historical and strategic games. It is suited for players who enjoy complex gameplay mechanics and are interested in themes of education and historical development. However, it may not be the best fit for casual gamers or those looking for a quick, simple experience. The game’s depth and replayability make it a great addition to any serious board game collection.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.