Praga Caput Regni (2020) Board Game

Praga Caput Regni is a city-building and puzzle board game designed by Vladimír Suchý and published by Delicious Games in in 2020. Set in medieval Prague, players take on the roles of wealthy citizens who are looking to contribute to the construction and beautification of the city.

Game Components of Praga Caput Regni

Large central board featuring a map of Prague with 3D structures like Charles Bridge, St. Vitus Cathedral, and the Hunger Wall.

Dual-layered player boards with point-tracking wheels (cranes) and sockets for holding cubes.

Resource counters, including stone, gold, and eggs.

Action tiles, plazas, buildings, scoring tiles, and seals.

Golden windows, which serve as a precious resource allowing extra actions.

Three-dimensional models that require assembly, such as the bridge and cathedral.

How To Setup Praga Caput Regni

Setting up **Praga Caput Regni** involves constructing the main board, which can be daunting due to its large size and detailed artwork. Players need to assemble the 3D structures, such as gluing the models of the bridge, cathedral, and wall. The player boards also require setup, folding them over and placing the cranes and cubes in their respective sockets. The game adjusts the board slightly for different player counts to maintain competition for spaces around plazas.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Category: City Building, Medieval, Puzzle

Mechanics: Resource Management, Action Selection, Tile Placement, Track Movement, Area Majority / Influence, Enclosure, End Game Bonuses

Objective: Collect the most victory points by coordinating large-scale projects and impressing the Emperor.

Gameplay: Players use stone and gold to perform one of six basic actions, triggering a chain of bonuses and actions. The game includes advancing on tracks like the King Road/Bridge and competing for seals, buildings, and scoring tiles.

Player Experience

Playing **Praga Caput Regni** involves strategic planning and executing a series of actions that trigger multiple bonuses. The game is known for its combo-heavy gameplay, where a simple action can lead to powerful chains of events. While the initial setup and board design can be overwhelming, the game becomes more manageable after a few plays. The game supports 1-4 players, with a playing time of around 30-40 minutes per player, though this can extend with analysis-paralysis prone players.

Pros

Immersion and Theme: Strong historical theme with detailed components and a large central board that mimics Prague.

Strategic Depth: Complex decision-making due to the chaining of bonuses and actions.

Player Interaction: Healthy competition for resources and spaces without excessive downtime.

Solo Mode: A robust solo mode for practicing game mechanics and achieving high scores.

Cons

Board Design: The large and colorful board can be confusing, especially for new players, and difficult to navigate.

Setup Time: The game requires significant setup time, including assembling 3D structures.

Downtime: Players may experience downtime when it’s not their turn, particularly in games with multiple players.

Clarity Issues: Some players find the board’s design too busy and hard to read, especially the sections and buildings.

Personal Thoughts on Praga Caput Regni

**Praga Caput Regni** is for fans of heavy Eurogames who enjoy strategic planning, resource management, and combo-heavy gameplay. Despite some design flaws, the game offers a rich and immersive experience, especially for those who appreciate historical themes and detailed components. It is ideal for players who are willing to invest time in understanding the game mechanics and can navigate the initial complexity. For newcomers to Eurogames, it might be a bit overwhelming, but experienced players will find it a rewarding challenge.

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