The Towers of Arkhanos (2019) Board Game

The Towers of Arkhanos is a board game released in 2019 by Creative Games Studio LLC. Designed by Daniel Alves and Eurico Cunha Neto, the game is set in a fantasy world where players compete to build the tallest and most impressive towers using dice and worker placement mechanics.

Game Components of The Towers of Arkhanos

50 prestige tokens

40 translucent dice

32 meeples

18 floor tiles (each with two sides: blank spots and restricted spots)

4 player boards

1 round tracker board

1 dice bag

1 rule book

Optional: 20 event cards, 12 Mercenary and Monster Meeples, 12 Mercenary and Monster cards, 3 special floor tiles, 1 Grand Master Arkhanos miniature, and 1 Arkhanos power board (available in the Kickstarter edition).

How To Setup The Towers of Arkhanos

To set up the game, each player chooses a color and takes the corresponding meeples and spell book. Players then shuffle and place the initial floor tiles in a triangular formation, with the last tile in the center. The remaining floor tiles are stacked with the blank side up. The dice are placed in the dice bag, and the round tracker is set next to the floor tile stack. The game is ready to begin once the dice bag is shaken.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Mechanics:
– Dice drafting: Players roll and draft dice to build towers.
– Worker placement: Players place meeples and dice on tower tiles.
– Area control: Players compete to control each floor of the towers.
– Spell usage: Players can use spells to alter dice faces, colors, and positions.

Game Objective:
– Build towers by drafting dice and placing meeples to gain influence.
– Score prestige points based on the influence on each tower.
– The player with the most prestige points at the end of the game (after 8 or 9 rounds depending on the player count) is declared the winner.

Player Experience

The game offers a dynamic and competitive experience, particularly enjoyable with higher player counts. With 2 players, the game is more predictable, but with 3 or 4 players, the competition intensifies, making each round more unpredictable and exciting. The game’s fast-paced nature, combined with its colorful and unique artwork, makes it an engaging addition to any board game night. Players must strategically balance tower building, spell usage, and meeple placement to maximize their scores.

Pros

Fast and Fun: The game plays in about 30 minutes, making it an excellent choice for family game nights or casual gatherings.

Replayability: The game features numerous strategies and combinations, ensuring each game brings new outcomes and surprises.

Engaging Mechanics: The mix of dice drafting, worker placement, and area control keeps players engaged and strategic.

Colorful Artwork: The game’s unique and colorful world, created by Marcelo Bastos and Rodrigo Ramos, adds to its appeal.

Cons

Theme: Some players might not be enthusiastic about the magic theme and might prefer a different setting.

Component Quality: The player spell books and round tracker board are noted to be a bit flimsy compared to other components.

Personal Thoughts on The Towers of Arkhanos

The Towers of Arkhanos is ideal for those who enjoy strategic yet fast-paced games. It is suitable for families and casual gamers due to its easy-to-learn mechanics and short playtime. However, it also offers enough depth to appeal to experienced gamers looking for a fun and competitive experience. The game’s ability to scale well with different player counts makes it versatile for various gaming groups. If you’re looking for a game that combines strategy with a dash of magic and excitement, The Towers of Arkhanos is a great choice.

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