Monarch (2015) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Monarch is a fantasy-themed board game released in in 2015. Designed by Kate Adams and Sarah Ettinger, the game features beautiful artwork by Mary Flanagan LLC and Resonym. It is a strategic game for 2-4 players, with a runtime of around 45 minutes and is suitable for ages 12 and up.

Game Components of Monarch

Court Cards: Representing wise advisors, exotic animals, and symbolic regalia, each providing crowns.

Land Improvements: Cards like Royal Goateries and Jewel Bazaars that benefit all players.

Unwanted Guests: Cards used to sabotage other players.

Banner Tiles: Provide special powers and additional crowns for players who specialize in specific suits (Wisdom, Culture, Might, Bounty, and Balance).

Food and Gold Tokens: Used for harvesting and taxing.

Moon Cards: Minor events that impact all players.

Beautiful Scratchboard Illustrations: By artist Kate Adams.

How To Setup Monarch

Setup is straightforward and quick. Players start by placing the Market Row, which contains the available Court Cards, Land Improvements, and Unwanted Guests. Each player begins with a starting hand and access to the farms and villages for harvesting food and taxing for gold. The game components are neatly organized, making setup and teardown swift and easy.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Harvest or Tax: Players choose to harvest farms for food or tax villages for gold.

Purchase Cards: Buy Court Cards, Land Improvements, and Unwanted Guests from the Market Row using food and gold.

Assemble Court: Collect cards that work well together to maximize crowns.

Use Banners: Commit to a style of rulership (Wisdom, Culture, Might, Bounty, or Balance) for extra crowns and special powers.

Sabotage: Send Unwanted Guests to disrupt other players’ courts.

Moon Events: Resolve minor events that affect all players.

Game End: The game ends when a player’s court is filled with seven Court Cards, and the player with the most crowns is declared the winner.

Player Experience

**Monarch** is praised for its accessibility and strategic depth. It is easy to learn but offers enough complexity for repeated play. Players appreciate the short playtime, typically around 10 minutes per player, and the beautiful artwork. The game is suitable for both novice and experienced gamers, making it a great addition to family game nights or casual game sessions.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules and quick setup.

Strategic Depth: Allows for various strategies and combinations of cards.

Beautiful Artwork: Scratchboard illustrations by Kate Adams.

Short Playtime: Ideal for weeknight games or family gatherings.

Inclusive Theme: Centers around powerful women characters, promoting gender equality in gaming.

Cons

Limited Score Tracking: No scorepad or score tracking tile included.

Dependence on Seating Position: In multiplayer games, card text can be a bottleneck if players are far from the market.

Predictable Outcomes: Some players find the game too light on strategy, leading to predictable outcomes.

Personal Thoughts on Monarch

**Monarch** is an excellent choice for those looking for a light yet engaging strategy game. It is particularly suitable for families, casual gamers, and anyone interested in games with strong female protagonists. The game’s quick playtime and beautiful artwork make it a great addition to any game collection. While it may not offer the deep strategic complexity some gamers seek, it excels in its approachability and replayability, making it a delightful experience for a wide range of players.

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