Louis XIV (2005) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, was the King of France from 1643 until his death in in 2005. He is known for his extravagant lifestyle, centralization of power, and patronage of the arts. The game Louis XIV takes place during his reign and players take on the roles of advisors trying to gain influence and power at court.

Game Components of Louis XIV

Influence Markers: 16 wooden cylindrical markers in four player colors.

Cards: Half-sized, full-color cards including 12 red intrigue cards, 30 green influence cards, 40 blue mission cards, and 8 yellow gold cards.

Game Boards: 12 boards laid out in a checkerboard pattern, each offering different rewards and challenges.

Gold Coins: 32 coins valued at 1 or 5 gold pieces.

Coats-of-Arms: 60 square tokens showing six different coats-of-arms.

Mission Tokens: Crosses, scrolls, helmets, rings, and wild-card crowns.

How To Setup Louis XIV

To set up the game, lay out the 12 game boards in a checkerboard pattern. Distribute the influence markers, gold coins, and coats-of-arms according to the rules. Shuffle and place the influence, intrigue, and mission cards. Each player receives a starting amount of gold and influence cards. The Louis XIV figure is placed on one of the central boards based on the drawn gold card.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Objective: The goal is to win the influence of court members to fulfill secret missions for the Sun King and collect victory points.

Rounds: The game is played over four rounds, each consisting of four phases: Supply, Influence, Resolution, and Cleanup.

Supply Phase: Players receive gold and the Louis XIV figure is moved to a new board based on the drawn gold card[5|.

Influence Phase: Players play influence cards to place their markers on the boards, aiming for majority control or specific rewards[5|.

Resolution Phase: Rewards are distributed based on the scoring type of each board (“gold”, “1st place”, or “influence markers”)[5|.

Cleanup Phase: Boards are flipped, changing the scoring type for the next round, and markers are returned to players’ supplies.

Player Experience

**Louis XIV** offers a deep and strategic gameplay experience with a mix of tactical moves and strategic planning. Players must balance competing for influence, managing resources, and fulfilling missions to accumulate victory points. The game’s dynamics are enriched by the flipping of the boards, which changes the scoring conditions each round, adding substantial depth and variety to the gameplay.

Pros

Strategic Depth: The game provides multiple paths to victory and requires careful planning and tactical execution.

Variety: The flipping boards and diverse card types ensure each game is unique and challenging.

Engaging Theme: Players are immersed in the intrigue of the French court, making the game thematically engaging.

Cons

Complexity: The game mechanics can be complex, especially for new players, due to the different scoring types and the board flipping mechanism.

Randomness: Some players may find the randomness in card draws and gold distribution unsatisfying.

Length: The game can take around 100 minutes to play, which may be too long for some players.

Personal Thoughts on Louis XIV

**Louis XIV** is ideal for serious gamers who enjoy strategic and tactical games with multiple paths to victory. It is a great addition to the collection of anyone who appreciates the complexity and depth of Eurogames. However, it may not be the best fit for casual gamers or those who prefer simpler, quicker games. The game’s intricate mechanics and length make it a game for those willing to invest time and thought into their gaming experience.

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