The Red Cathedral (2020) Board Game

The Red Cathedral is a board game released in 2020 by Devir. Designed by Isra C. and Shei S., this game has quickly gained popularity for its unique gameplay mechanics and stunning artwork by Chema Román and Pedro Soto. Set in medieval Russia, players take on the roles of rival architects competing to build the grandest cathedral in the land.

Game Components of The Red Cathedral

Central Market Board

Cathedral Construction site with random cathedral cards

Personal player boards

Workshop tiles

Banners for claiming cathedral sections

Resources (brick, lumber, gold, stone, green gems, purple gems)

Dice

Guild cards

Ornamentation tokens

Rubles (coins)

Recognition and Prestige Points tracks

How To Setup The Red Cathedral

Setting up The Red Cathedral involves several steps. First, the central Market Board and the Cathedral Construction site are placed in the middle of the playing area. The cathedral design is determined randomly based on the number of players, with setup cards scaled accordingly. Each player receives a personal board and six banners. Workshop tiles are placed on each cathedral card during setup. The game also includes random resource allocations and Guild cards, which add variability to each game session. While setup can take some time, it is manageable, especially with pre-prepared game components for quicker setups.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Actions: Players can perform one of three actions per turn:
– Rolling dice and acquiring resources from the Market Board.
– Reserving cathedral section cards (Scaffolding).
– Allocating resources to build and decorate reserved cathedral sections (Building and Decorating).

Resource Management: Players must manage their resources carefully, as each action requires specific materials.

Area Majority: Players aim to claim and build sections of the cathedral to gain area majority in each tower, which is crucial for scoring.

Engine Building: Workshop tiles can be acquired to enhance dice rolls and resource collection.

End Game Bonuses: The game ends when one player completes their sixth section of the cathedral, triggering final scoring.

Player Experience

The Red Cathedral offers a engaging and strategic gameplay experience. Players must balance resource collection, section claiming, and building to maximize their scores. The game scales well from 1 to 4 players, though downtime increases slightly with more players. The inclusion of solo mode and varied setups ensures high replayability. The game’s components, such as the wooden resources and detailed artwork, add to its appeal. However, some actions, like claiming sections, can feel less dynamic compared to the more involved resource acquisition and building actions.

Pros

Strategic Depth: The game offers a rich strategic experience with multiple paths to victory.

High Replayability: Random cathedral designs, Guild cards, and resource allocations ensure each game is unique.

Quality Components: The game includes well-crafted components such as wooden resources and detailed artwork.

Solo Mode: A well-integrated solo mode adds to the game’s versatility.

Engaging Mechanics: The rondel and dice rolling mechanics are particularly engaging and strategic.

Cons

Setup Time: Setting up the game can take a little time, especially for new players.

Dice Rolling Annoyance: Re-rolling dice after each player’s turn can sometimes disrupt the game flow.

Need for More Guild Cards: The current set of Guild cards can feel limited, reducing long-term variability.

Solo Mode Ease: Some players find the solo mode too easy and lackluster.

Personal Thoughts on The Red Cathedral

The Red Cathedral is an excellent choice for fans of Euro games and strategic resource management. It is suitable for players who enjoy calm, clinical gameplay with a depth of strategy. The game’s accessibility makes it a great introduction to more complex board games, while its replayability ensures it remains engaging for experienced players. However, it may not be the best fit for those seeking highly thematic or intense competitive games. Overall, it is a well-designed game that will appeal to anyone looking for a strategic and satisfying gaming experience.

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