The King’s Will (2017) Board Game

The King’s Will, released in 2017, is a board game designed by Harald Lieske. The game is set in a medieval theme, where players take on the role of lords competing to gain the favor of the king by expanding their territories and building up their industries.

Game Components of The King’s Will

Game board

Action selection track

Resource tokens

Building tiles

Population tokens

King’s will cards

End game scoring cards

Player boards

Wooden pieces

How To Setup The King’s Will

To set up the game, players first place the game board in the middle of the table. Each player chooses a player board and places it within reach. The action selection track is set up in the center of the board, and the King’s will cards are placed face down on designated spaces. Players receive initial resources and population tokens. The game is ready to begin once all components are distributed and the board is prepared.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Count: 2-4 players

Age Range: 10+

Play Time: 50-90 minutes

Mechanics: Action selection, resource management, bidding, and variable player powers

Objective: Players aim to build up their duchies, manage resources, construct buildings, and meet the King’s requirements to gain favor and points.

Action Selection: Players select actions from a track, with the location on the track determining additional bonuses and affecting the round length.

King’s Will: Each round, players must meet the King’s requirements, which are revealed through cards, to avoid penalties and gain rewards.

End Game Scoring: Players bid on end game scoring cards, which are revealed at the end of the game, adding a layer of bluffing and strategy.

Player Experience

The King’s Will offers a solid, if somewhat bland, gaming experience. Players engage in meaningful decision-making, managing resources and actions to build their duchies and meet the King’s demands. However, the game lacks a sense of urgency, with players often having ample time to take actions without significant pressure. The theme, while interesting, is not strongly immersive, and the artwork is described as drab. The end game scoring, while involving bluffing, can feel anticlimactic.

Pros

Meaningful Decisions: The game provides plenty of opportunities for strategic thinking.

Resource Management: Players must manage resources effectively to achieve their goals.

Variable Victory Conditions: The end game scoring cards introduce variable victory conditions, adding replayability.

Solid Mechanics: The action selection track and bidding mechanisms are well-designed.

Cons

Lack of Pressure: The game can feel too leisurely, lacking urgency or significant penalties for failure.

Bland Theme: The medieval theme and artwork are not particularly engaging.

Anticlimactic End Game: The final scoring can feel limp, especially if players have focused on specific goals.

Personal Thoughts on The King’s Will

The King’s Will is a game that will appeal to fans of euro-style games who enjoy complex decision-making and resource management. However, it may not be the best choice for those seeking high tension or a deeply immersive theme. The game’s mechanics are solid, but the overall experience can be dull, making it a less memorable addition to a gaming collection. If you are a connoisseur of euro games, there may be enough here to pique your interest, but for others, it might get lost in the shelf.

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