Reigns: The Council (2020) Board Game

Reigns: The Council is a board game adaptation of the popular video game series Reigns. The game was released in 2020 and is designed by Arnaud de Bock and Hervé Marly. It is published by Nerial and features artwork by various artists.

Game Components of Reigns: The Council

Player Cards: Each advisor has a hand of cards and a secret motive.

Proposals: Cards with characters and icons indicating which of the four pillars (Church, Army, People, Wealth) they affect.

Pillar Trackers: To monitor the balance of the four societal pillars.

Thematic Art: Pictures and icons to help in storytelling.

Optional Accessories: Glittery tiara and other thematic items for immersive play.

How To Setup Reigns: The Council

To set up the game, one player is crowned the monarch, while the others take on the roles of advisors. Each advisor receives a secret motive card and a hand of proposal cards. The monarch’s goal is to maintain balance among the four pillars of society. The setup is quick and straightforward, with a concise rulebook that makes it easy to understand and start playing.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Asymmetric Roles: One player is the monarch, while others are advisors with secret goals.

Proposal System: Advisors present proposals to the monarch, who must decide whether to accept or reject them.

Pillar Balance: Decisions affect the balance of the Church, Army, People, and Wealth pillars.

Secret Agendas: Advisors have hidden objectives to influence the monarch’s decisions.

Storytelling: Players use thematic wording and pictures to pitch their proposals.

Victory Conditions: The game ends when all players have had a turn as monarch. Points are awarded based on fulfilling secret agendas and the number of accepted policies.

Player Experience

Reigns: The Council offers a unique blend of storytelling, strategy, and humor. Players engage in creative role-playing as they present their proposals, using the provided images and icons to craft compelling stories. The game is highly interactive, with table talk encouraged to uncover patterns and motivations. It appeals to both casual players and those who enjoy deeper, more strategic gameplay.

Pros

Engaging Storytelling: Encourages creative and humorous storytelling.

Simple yet Deep: Easy to learn but with layers of strategy.

High Replayability: Different secret agendas and random proposal cards ensure varied gameplay.

Multilingual Support: Language-independent components make it accessible to diverse groups.

Quick Gameplay: Games last between 20-40 minutes, even with the maximum player count.

Cons

Dependence on Player Engagement: The game’s fun factor relies heavily on players’ willingness to engage in the storytelling aspect.

Limited Complexity for Hardcore Gamers: May not offer enough depth for players who prefer highly complex games.

Potential for Deceit: Advisors may be deceitful, which could confuse the monarch and diminish the fun if not managed well.

Personal Thoughts on Reigns: The Council

Reigns: The Council is ideal for groups who enjoy light-hearted, interactive games with a strong focus on storytelling and social interaction. It is perfect for casual game nights and can be a great addition to any game collection that values fun, quirky experiences. However, it may not be the best fit for players seeking highly complex or competitive games.

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