The Castles of Tuscany (2020) Board Game

The Castles of Tuscany is a board game designed by Stefan Feld and published by alea in in 2020. It is set in the beautiful region of Tuscany during the Renaissance period, where players compete to build the most prestigious castles and vineyards.

Game Components of The Castles of Tuscany

Region boards composed of smaller, customizable tiles

Double-sided castle tiles

Region tiles with unique actions and scoring

Region cards for tile drafting

Yield cards for additional effects

Bonus tiles and square bonus tiles

Workers and resource bits (marble blocks)

Score markers and 50/100 point trackers

Color Bonus tiles

Neutral Region tiles.

How To Setup The Castles of Tuscany

To set up the game, each player starts with a Region board, which is assembled from smaller tiles with some customizability in its configuration. Each player places their double-sided castle tile on one of the dark green hexes on their board. Players receive 22 tiles of their color, score markers, and a 50/100 tracker. The Region cards and Yield cards are shuffled and placed face down. Bonus tiles are set nearby, and each player selects one bonus tile to start with. Neutral Region tiles are shuffled, and eight are placed face up. Finally, a start player is selected, and each player draws five Region cards to begin.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Tile Drafting and Placement: Players draft and place Region tiles onto their boards, each tile having a unique action or scoring mechanism.

Card Actions: Players can draw Region cards, take a Region tile, or place a Region tile on their board using cards or workers.

Resource Management: Use cards, workers, or marble blocks to facilitate tile placements.

Scoring: Points are scored at the end of each round and at the game’s end, with bonuses for completing specific regions and collecting certain tiles.

Objective: The goal is to build the most prosperous realm by scoring the most points across three rounds.

Player Experience

Playing The Castles of Tuscany involves strategic planning and tactical execution. Each turn is straightforward, allowing players to quickly decide on their actions. The game encourages making satisfying combos and using tiles to extend turns and lead in scoring. The variable region board setup adds a layer of replayability and customization. Compared to The Castles of Burgundy, it feels more streamlined and less fiddly, making it accessible yet still strategically deep.

Pros

Streamlined Gameplay: Faster setup and playtime compared to similar games.

Customizable Region Boards: Allows for different layouts each play.

Unique Tile Actions: Each tile has distinct effects, offering multiple paths to success.

Vibrant Components: Easily distinguishable and visually appealing tiles and icons.

Accessible Strategy: A step up from gateway games but not overly complex.

Cons

Randomness Impact: Unlucky draws can significantly affect gameplay, particularly in larger player counts.

Limited Tile Availability: In four-player games, access to certain tiles and bonuses can be limited.

Personal Thoughts on The Castles of Tuscany

The Castles of Tuscany is ideal for fans of strategic games who appreciate a balance between complexity and accessibility. It is a great introduction to the Castles series and offers a lighter, yet still engaging, alternative to The Castles of Burgundy. This game is perfect for those who enjoy tile placement and resource management with a touch of randomness and strategic depth. It is particularly enjoyable in two-player games due to its swift and satisfying gameplay.

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