The Cousins’ War (2017) Board Game

The Cousins’ War, also known as the Wars of the Roses, was a series of civil wars fought in England between the House of Lancaster and the House of York for control of the English throne in the 15th century. This board game is inspired by the historical events of this tumultuous period, where players take on the roles of rival factions vying for power and influence.

Game Components of The Cousins’ War

Game board

60 Influence cards

20 Power cards

10 Region cards

2 Player Reference cards

12 wooden Influence cubes

2 six-sided dice

How To Setup The Cousins’ War

Place the game board in the center of the table.

Shuffle the Influence cards and deal a hand of 5 cards to each player.

Shuffle the Power cards and place them face down on the board.

Place the wooden Influence cubes in their respective starting regions.

Decide who will play as the House of Lancaster and who will play as the House of York.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

In The Cousins’ War, players take turns performing actions such as deploying troops, playing Influence cards, and rolling dice to gain control of regions on the board. The objective is to have the most influence in key regions by the end of the game, representing your faction’s dominance in the war.

Player Experience

Pros:

Simple rules and easy to learn for new players.

Strategic depth with card management and dice rolling elements.

Engaging theme that immerses players in the historical conflict.

Cons:

Limited replay value due to fixed setup and strategies.

Luck-based outcomes from dice rolls may frustrate some players.

Lack of player interaction beyond area control mechanics.

Personal Thoughts on The Cousins’ War

As a fan of historical games, I found The Cousins’ War to be an enjoyable experience that captures the essence of the Wars of the Roses. The artwork and components are well-made, enhancing the thematic immersion during gameplay. While the game may not offer extensive replayability, it serves as a solid introduction to area control and card-driven gameplay for casual gamers. However, more experienced players seeking deeper strategy might find the game lacking in complexity. Overall, The Cousins’ War is worth considering for fans of medieval and wargames, but may not be suitable for players looking for highly competitive or variable gameplay experiences.

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