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The White Castle (2023) Board Game

ByMichail

The White Castle board game is a strategic dice and economic game designed by Isra C. and Shei S. It was released in 2023 by Devir, a well-known publisher in the board game industry. The game is set in a medieval fantasy world where players take on the roles of ambitious castle builders competing to construct the most prestigious castle in the kingdom.

Game Components of The White Castle

  • 77 Cards**
  • 82 Tiles**
  • 5 Boards**
  • 85 Wood Pieces** (including gardeners, warriors, and courtiers)
  • 15 Dice**
  • Rules**
  • Turn Order tokens**
  • Round Tracker**
  • Plant Garden Cards**
  • Stone Garden Cards**
  • Starting Resource Cards**
  • Starting Action Cards**
  • Daimyo Card**
  • Heron Tokens**.

    How To Setup The White Castle

    To set up The White Castle, players begin by rolling the dice and placing them on the three bridges on the board, organized from lowest to highest value. Each player selects a pair of Starting Cards, which provide initial resources and actions. Players then place their Heron Tokens to determine the turn order and set up their individual Domain Boards. The game board is divided into several zones, including the castle, gardens, and walls, where players will place their workers. The Plant Garden Cards and Stone Garden Cards are shuffled and placed in their respective areas, and the Daimyo Card is selected for the top-most room of the castle.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

    Mechanics

  • Dice Placement: Players take dice from the bridges and place them on action spaces to perform various actions.
  • Resource Management: Managing resources such as money, food, iron, and mother of pearl.
  • Worker Placement: Placing gardeners, warriors, and courtiers in different areas of the board.
  • Engine-Building: Building up income and resources over the three rounds.

    Game Objective

  • Each player aims to score the most victory points by strategically placing their workers and managing resources.
  • The game is divided into three rounds, with each player taking exactly three actions per round.
  • Points are scored through courtiers ascending the castle hierarchy, warriors based on the number of courtiers, and gardeners based on their placement in the gardens.

    Player Experience

    The White Castle offers a tightly wound and strategic gameplay experience. With only nine actions available over three rounds, players must plan meticulously to maximize their resource gathering and worker placement. The game features a unique dice placement mechanism where players can earn or lose money based on the value of the dice they place. The engine-building aspect adds a layer of complexity, as players build up their income and resources to execute more powerful actions. The game’s setting in Feudal Japan, with its depiction of Himeji Castle, adds a rich thematic layer to the gameplay.

    Pros

  • Strategic Depth: The game offers deep strategic gameplay with limited actions, requiring careful planning.
  • Engine-Building: The engine-building mechanic allows players to build up their resources and actions over the game.
  • Thematic Integration: The game’s theme is well-integrated with its mechanics, providing an immersive experience.
  • Short Playtime: Despite its complexity, the game is relatively short, lasting about 80 minutes.

    Cons

  • Limited Actions: The restriction to only nine actions can feel very tight, making every decision critical and sometimes stressful.
  • Steep Learning Curve: The game has several complex mechanics and rules, which can be overwhelming for new players.
  • Luck of the Dice: The dice rolls can introduce an element of luck that may not always align with a player’s strategy.

    Personal Thoughts on The White Castle

    The White Castle is ideal for fans of Eurogames, particularly those who enjoy resource management, worker placement, and dice placement mechanics. It is suited for players who appreciate strategic depth and are willing to invest time in learning the game’s intricacies. Given its 80-minute playtime and the need for careful planning, it is best for players who enjoy games that require thoughtful decision-making and strategic execution. While it may not be the best fit for casual gamers due to its complexity, it is a great addition to any serious board game collection.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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