King’s Life (2017) Board Game

King’s Life is a card game that was released in in 2017. It is designed by Mihajlo Dimitrievski and Scott Hartman, with artwork by Pandasaurus Games. The game is categorized as a card game and features mechanics such as hand management, take that, team-based game, and trick-taking. It is designed for 4-8 players, with the optimal number of players being 5-6. The game has a playing time of 20-30 minutes and is suitable for players aged 10 and up.

Game Components of King’s Life

71 Suggestion Cards

4 Activity Preference Cards

5 Day of the Week Cards

Game Board

5 Support Bonus Tokens

8 Player Standees

8 Player Support Tokens

First Player Standee

How To Setup King’s Life

To set up King’s Life, players start by placing the game board in the middle of the playing area. Each player selects a standee and places it on the board. The Suggestion Cards, Activity Preference Cards, and Day of the Week Cards are shuffled and placed within reach of all players. Each player receives a set of Player Support Tokens. The First Player Standee is given to the player who will start the game. The laborious Monday duties have already been taken care of by the king, so the game begins on Tuesday, where players must entertain the king with various activities.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Competitive Bidding: Players bid on activities to entertain the king.

Take-That Mechanics: Players can use favor chips to bet on other players’ successes or failures.

Alliances and Strategy: Forming temporary alliances and using wit to outmaneuver opponents.

Objective: The goal is to be the player who best entertains the king each day, earning points and a coveted seat on the royal council.

Player Experience

King’s Life is a zany game that promises a fun and chaotic experience for up to eight players. Each day of the week brings new demands from the king, such as hunts, feasts, tournaments, or balls. Players must cleverly pitch their activities to the king while also navigating the unpredictable nature of the game. With a playtime of just 30 minutes, it’s a quick and engaging game that combines strategy with social interaction.

Pros

Quick Playtime: Games last only 30 minutes.

High Player Count: Supports up to eight players.

Engaging Mechanics: Combines bidding, take-that elements, and strategic thinking.

Colorful Artwork: Features unique art by the Artist of the Game of Thrones: Hand of the King.

Cons

Luck Factor: The game includes elements of luck, which can affect player outcomes.

Complexity: While the game is generally straightforward, it may require some time for new players to adjust to the mechanics.

Personal Thoughts on King’s Life

King’s Life is ideal for groups of friends or families looking for a light-hearted, entertaining game that doesn’t require hours of commitment. It’s perfect for those who enjoy strategic thinking but also appreciate the unpredictability and social interaction that comes with competitive bidding and take-that mechanics. If you’re a fan of Bruno Faidutti’s previous works or enjoy games with a mix of strategy and fun, King’s Life is definitely worth checking out.

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