The First Tsar: Ivan the Terrible (2024) Board Game

The First Tsar: Ivan the Terrible is a board game that takes players back to medieval Russia during the reign of Ivan the Terrible. Ivan IV, also known as Ivan the Terrible, was the Grand Prince of Moscow from 1533 to 1547 and the first Tsar of Russia from 1547 to

He is known for his centralization of power, brutal tactics, and complex relationships with the nobility.

Game Components of The First Tsar: Ivan the Terrible

Game board

181 wooden pieces

102 tokens

4 player pads

Rulebook

2 Seal tokens per player

3 Boyar pieces per player

6 Building pieces per player

10 Warrior pieces per player

Goods pieces (Grain, Wood, Stone)

Coin tokens

Project cards

Region tokens

Tsar’s Favour tokens.

How To Setup The First Tsar: Ivan the Terrible

To set up the game, place the board in the middle of the table and position the Tsar’s Favour tokens on the Victory Point track. Shuffle and lay out the Assignment cards below the Kremlin Chambers. Gather and place the Goods pieces and Coin tokens nearby. Each player selects their components, including the Player’s Pad, Victory Point and Tsar’s Favour markers, Seal tokens, Boyar pieces, Building pieces, and Warrior pieces. Players also receive initial resources (Grain, Wood, Stone, and coins) and place their Victory Point Marker on the 0 space of the Victory Point track. The Tsar’s Favour markers are placed randomly on the Tsar Favour track. Finally, shuffle the Project deck, deal three cards to each player, and lay out six Project cards face up as a display.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Worker Placement: Players place their Boyar pieces in different chambers to perform actions.

Resource Management: Managing resources like Goods and Coins.

Area Control: Influencing regions on the board with Warriors and Buildings.

Bidding: Using Coins to bid for secondary actions in the chambers.

Tile Placement: Placing Building pieces and moving Warriors.

Game Objective

The game is played over four rounds, each representing a decade of Ivan the Terrible’s reign.

Players compete to gain the most influence by performing actions such as receiving income, placing Boyars and Warriors, completing construction and trade projects, and acquiring new titles and estates.

The Tsar’s favor is crucial, used to resolve ties and gain advantages.

The player with the most victory points at the end of the fourth round wins the game.

Player Experience

The First Tsar: Ivan the Terrible offers a deeply strategic and interactive experience. Players must navigate the intricate web of actions and resources, constantly bidding and outmaneuvering each other to gain the Tsar’s favor. The game’s tense player interaction and the significance of every decision make each turn feel heavy and important. Mistakes can be punishing, but recovery is possible, adding a layer of complexity without overwhelming players.

Pros

Deep Planning and Strategic Decisions: Every choice feels significant and impacts the overall game.

Tense Player Interaction: Bidding and outmaneuvering opponents creates a paranoid state, keeping players on their toes.

Simple yet Strategic Gameplay: Easy to learn but challenging to master.

Tsar’s Favor Mechanic: Thoroughly integrated into every facet of the game, making it a pivotal element.

Satisfying Victories: Wins and accomplishments feel rewarding and give a sense of accomplishment.

Cons

Flimsy Player Boards: Despite solid production quality, the individual player boards feel a bit flimsy.

Complex Setup: The initial setup can be detailed and time-consuming.

Personal Thoughts on The First Tsar: Ivan the Terrible

The First Tsar: Ivan the Terrible is ideal for fans of eurogames who enjoy complex strategic planning and high player interaction. It’s perfect for those who appreciate a game where every decision counts and the tension is palpable throughout. While it may not be the best fit for casual gamers due to its depth and length (2-3 hours), it is a must-play for enthusiasts of worker placement and area control games. Stan Kordonskiy’s design ensures that the game remains engaging and challenging, making it a standout in the medium-weight eurogame category.

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