HUANG (2024) Board Game – Board Game Guys

HUANG is a board game released in 2024, designed by Bartek Jędrzejewski and featuring artwork by PHALANX. The game falls under the categories of Ancient, Civilization, and Territory Building, with gameplay mechanics centered around Area Majority/Influence, Hand Management, Hexagon Grid, Hidden Victory Points, and Highest-Lowest Scoring. HUANG offers a strategic and immersive experience for 2-5 players, with a runtime of approximately 90 minutes.

Game Components of HUANG

1 board

138 tiles (42 yellow, 36 red, 24 blue, 24 green, and 12 white)

1 bag

9 pagodas (2 yellow, 2 red, 2 blue, 2 green, 1 white)

150 victory point markers (in five colors: 20 × 1 and 10 × 5)

4 screens

1 unification marker

4 Dynasty sets (Tiger, Rabbit, Rat, and Goat) with five leaders each (Governor, Soldier, Farmer, Merchant, and Artist).

How To Setup HUANG

Setup is quick and straightforward, taking about 5 minutes. Players remove some tiles from the bag based on the player count and each player starts with six hidden tiles drawn from the bag. The rules references on the player screens help keep the game organized and easy to understand.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Tile Placement: Players take turns placing tiles to build states and expand their influence.

Leader Actions: Each turn, players take two actions: place, move, or withdraw a leader; or place a tile next to a leader or another tile.

War and Revolt: Connecting two states with leaders of the same color triggers a war. Placing a leader into a state with an opponent’s leader of the same color initiates a revolt.

Pagodas: Building pagodas by creating sets of three tiles of the same color earns points.

Objective: The game ends when the tile bag is empty. Players score points based on the tiles and pagodas they control. The final score is the lowest number of points in any of the four colors, and the player with the most points wins.

Player Experience

HUANG offers a fast-paced and addictive gameplay experience lasting around 90 minutes. The game is easy to learn but challenging to master, making it accessible to both new and experienced players. The dynamic interplay of war and revolt requires flexible spatial reasoning and continuous tactical adjustments, keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging.

Pros

Quick Turns: Most turns are quick, especially those without conflicts.

Constant Scoring: Players score points on most turns, creating a sense of progression.

Beautiful Design: The game has crisp, clean artwork and high-quality components.

Strategic Depth: The game demands strategic thinking and adaptability.

Variant Content: Includes additional variants like the 18 Kingdoms and Rogue Bandits for enhanced replayability.

Cons

Storage Issues: The box is small, making it difficult to store all components neatly.

No Solo Mode: The game lacks a solo mode.

Conflict Heavy: The game can be mean with constant competition among players.

Complex Outcomes: Understanding the outcomes of gameplay can be difficult at times.

Personal Thoughts on HUANG

HUANG is ideal for both seasoned gamers and newcomers looking for a game that balances simplicity and depth. Its historical setting, combined with the unique war and revolt mechanics, makes it a compelling choice. However, it may not be the best fit for those seeking a solo gaming experience or a game with complex asymmetrical mechanics. Overall, HUANG provides an engaging and strategic experience that is well worth exploring.

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