Orléans Stories is a standalone game in the Orléans series, designed by Reiner Stockhausen and published by dlp games in in 2019. It is set in medieval France and combines elements of deck building, bag building, and pool building mechanics.
Game Components of Orléans Stories
Modular boards: Used in different scenarios, with some boards used in both scenarios and others specific to one.Resource tray: Holds many of the resources and workers, with some empty spaces for future components.Scenario books: Each player has a small book for each scenario, guiding them through the story and rules specific to that scenario.Personal boards: Each player has a personal board and a personal supply of buildings and player markers.Buildings and goods: Divided by number, entering play based on the scenario.Followers: Same followers as in **Orléans**, used for various actions and deeds.
How To Setup Orléans Stories
Setting up **Orléans Stories** involves several steps. First, the game board is set up with terrain based on the number of players. Each player receives a personal board and the corresponding scenario book. The common supply board is filled and refilled according to the scenario being played. Players must figure out which boards and components are used for the specific scenario, a process that can be confusing but is aided by the rule book and scenario books.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Bag-building mechanism: Players draw followers from their bag and assign them to spaces on their player board or to buildings and deeds.Era-based progression: The game is divided into eras, each with different conditions and objectives. In “The First Kingdom,” the game spans eight eras, while “The King’s Favor” spans five eras.Player actions: Players take turns performing actions based on their follower assignments. The game continues until the end point specified in the scenario, with victory assessed based on the specific scenario’s objectives.Strategic adaptation: Players must adapt their strategies as the eras change, responding to new challenges and opportunities.
Player Experience
Players experience a dynamic and challenging game environment in **Orléans Stories**. The game requires strategic planning and adaptation as the scenarios unfold. Despite the complexity, the perceived downtime is minimal because players plan and execute actions simultaneously. The game encourages both competitive and cooperative play, with limited resources and space leading to interactions between players.
Pros
Rich storytelling: Each scenario offers a unique story with varying conditions and challenges.High replayability: The scenarios can be replayed multiple times with different outcomes due to the bag-building mechanism.Engaging gameplay: Players enjoy the constant need to adapt strategies to the changing eras and conditions.Good component quality: The game components are of high quality, including the boards, resource tray, and scenario books.
Cons
Complex setup: Setting up the game can be confusing due to the need to sort out which components are used for each scenario.Long gameplay: The game can be very long, lasting around 4 hours, which may be a deterrent for some players.Limited scenarios: The base game includes only two scenarios, which some players may find insufficient.
Personal Thoughts on Orléans Stories
**Orléans Stories** is ideal for fans of complex, strategic eurogames who enjoy storytelling and adaptive gameplay. While it may be challenging for new players without experience in bag-building games, the detailed rule book and scenario guides help ease the learning curve. The game is not suitable for those who prefer shorter game sessions or are looking for a simple, introductory game. However, for those willing to invest time, **Orléans Stories** offers a deeply engaging and rewarding experience.
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