Settlement (2021) Board Game

Settlement is a city-building board game designed by Oleksandr Nevskiy and published by IGAMES in in 2021. The game combines elements of exploration, territory building, and set collection, set in a medieval fantasy world. With a runtime of 45-90 minutes and recommended for players aged 10 and up, Settlement offers a challenging and strategic gameplay experience for 1-4 players.

Game Components of Settlement

Player boards

Main board

Artifact cards

Building cards

Hero cards

Monster tokens

Terrain tiles

Resource tokens (including clay, gold, and gems)

Worker tokens

How To Setup Settlement

To set up Settlement, each player receives a player board and a set of worker tokens. The main board is placed in the middle of the playing area. Artifact cards, building cards, hero cards, and monster tokens are shuffled and placed within reach of all players. Terrain tiles are stacked face down. Each player starts with a set of basic resources. The game prepares a pool of artifacts, with three more than the number of players, which will be cycled through each round.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Mechanics

Worker Placement: Players place their worker tokens to perform various actions such as exploring terrain, constructing buildings, and fighting monsters.

Artifact Management: Players take and use artifact cards each round, which provide different benefits and abilities.

Resource Management: Players manage resources (clay, gold, gems) to construct buildings and recruit heroes.

Hero Recruitment: Players can recruit heroes to gain points and special abilities.

Game Objective

The objective is to accumulate the most points by constructing buildings, recruiting heroes, and using artifacts effectively. The game ends after six rounds, and the player with the most points wins.

Player Experience

Playing Settlement involves a mix of strategic planning and tactical decisions. Players need to balance their actions between exploring new terrains, constructing buildings, fighting monsters, and recruiting heroes. The game has a moderate level of complexity, making it accessible to both casual and experienced gamers. The artifact system adds variability to each game, ensuring different experiences with each playthrough.

Pros

Variable Gameplay: The cycling of artifact cards ensures each game is unique.

Engaging Mechanics: The combination of worker placement, resource management, and artifact use keeps players engaged.

Accessible Complexity: Suitable for both new and experienced gamers.

Thematic Art: The game features cool and thematic art on the hero cards and other components.

Cons

Lack of Strong Theme: The game’s theme is somewhat superficial and not deeply integrated into the gameplay.

Resource Confusion: Some players find the resource tokens, especially the teardrop-shaped clay, confusing.

Gem vs Coin Value: The value of gems compared to gold coins can seem inconsistent.

Personal Thoughts on Settlement

Settlement is a solid choice for those looking to transition into more complex eurogames and engine-building games. It offers a balanced experience with enough depth to keep hardcore gamers interested but is not so complex that it overwhelms new players. The game is particularly enjoyable for those who appreciate strategic planning and the occasional bit of luck from the artifact cards. However, it may not be the best fit for players seeking a deeply thematic experience or those who prefer games with high player interaction.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.