Royale (2020) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Royale is a card game released in 2020, designed by Milan Zivkovic and featuring artwork by Button Shy. The game is set in a medieval theme and falls under the categories of card game and print & play. With a runtime of 20 minutes, the game is suitable for 3-5 players aged 8 and above. Royale incorporates deduction and roles with asymmetric information as its main gameplay mechanisms.

Game Components of Royale

Card Deck: Contains various resource cards and item cards with different abilities.

Resource Tokens: Used for gathering and spending resources.

Item Cards: For crafting items to attack opponents or ensure survival.

Escape Point Tokens: Needed to collect 10 points to escape the island.

How To Setup Royale

To set up the game, each player starts with a basic set of resource cards. Players are dealt an initial hand, and the remaining cards are placed in a draw pile. The game area is set up to track daily rounds, resource gathering, and item crafting.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Turn-Based Survival: Each round represents one day on the island.

Resource Gathering: Players collect resources to spend on crafting items.

Item Crafting: Players use resources to craft items with various abilities.

Combat and Sabotage: Players can attack each other using crafted items.

Elimination: Players who run out of resources are instantly eliminated.

Objective: Be the last person standing or the first to collect 10 escape points to escape the island.

Player Experience

Playing Board Royale: The Island is an intense and strategic experience. Players must balance resource gathering, item crafting, and combat tactics to survive. The game encourages backstabbing and ruthlessness, making it a potential friendship breaker. Each game session can last between 30 to 60 minutes, and the game is recommended for players aged 13 and above.

Pros

High Replayability: The game offers different strategies and outcomes with each play.

Social Interaction: Encourages strategic alliances and backstabbing among players.

Engaging Mechanics: The combination of resource management and combat keeps players engaged.

Variability in Player Count: Supports games with 2 to 6 players without significant changes in gameplay.

Cons

Potential for Lengthy Games: Some sessions can run close to the 60-minute mark.

High Level of Aggression: The game’s mechanics can lead to feelings of betrayal among friends.

Complexity for Beginners: New players may find the rules and strategies overwhelming initially.

Personal Thoughts on Royale

Board Royale: The Island is ideal for players who enjoy strategic survival games with a social twist. It is perfect for gaming groups that can handle the competitive and sometimes ruthless nature of the game. However, it may not be the best choice for casual or family game nights due to its high level of aggression and potential for lengthy gameplay sessions. For fans of battle royale mechanics and intense player interaction, this game offers a unique and engaging experience.

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