Walls of York (2018) Board Game

Walls of York is a board game that was released in 2018 by Cranio Creations. Designed by Emiliano “Wentu” Venturini and illustrated by Sabrina Miramon, this game falls into the categories of City Building, Medieval, and Puzzle. With a playing time of around 30 minutes, it is suitable for 2 to 4 players aged 10 and above.

Game Components of Walls of York

Plastic wall pieces

City map boards (each player has a board made up of four double-sided sections)

Building die

Large red dice

Blue dice

Cardboard frame (though often considered fiddly and not necessary)

Viking tokens

Coins

Custom dice tower (designed as a medieval gateway)

How To Setup Walls of York

To set up the game, each player must assemble their city map by arranging the four double-sided board sections in the same orientation. Originally, players were supposed to clip a thin cardboard frame around the boards, but this step is often skipped due to its fiddliness. The custom dice tower is also set up, ready for the blue dice to be rolled.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay: Players roll the building die to determine which types of walls to use. The large red dice are then rolled, dictating the pattern in which players place their plastic wall pieces on their boards.

Objective: The goal is to encircle the required buildings on the city map while avoiding Viking raids. Players earn coins for completing their walls and protecting their city.

Rounds: The game is played over two rounds (ages), with Viking raids occurring at the end of the first round. The player with the most Viking tokens at the end of the first round is raided and loses their tokens.

Winning Condition: The player with the most coins at the end of the second round wins, with penalties for incomplete castles or excessive Viking tokens.

Player Experience

In **Walls of York**, players engage in a relatively short and light game, lasting about 30 minutes. While the game starts as a novel and engaging experience, with the use of plastic wall pieces and a custom dice tower, it can become repetitive. Players work independently, placing wall pieces according to the dice rolls, which can lead to similar strategies and castle designs among players. The game lacks significant player interaction, but it remains enjoyable, especially for younger players.

Pros

Engaging Setup: The initial setup and use of the custom dice tower add a unique and fun element.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players aged 10 and above, making it a good option for family game nights.

Short Games: Each game is relatively quick, lasting only about 30 minutes.

Light Strategy: Easy to pick up but still requires some strategic thinking.

Cons

Fiddly Components: The cardboard frames are often considered unnecessary and fiddly.

Lack of Interaction: Players work independently with minimal interaction.

Repetitive Gameplay: The game can feel repetitive, especially since players may adopt similar strategies.

Generic Design: The characters and icons on the boards are somewhat generic.

Personal Thoughts on Walls of York

**Walls of York** is a game best suited for younger players and those looking for a light, quick strategy game. While it offers a fun and novel experience initially, it may not hold the interest of more experienced gamers due to its repetitive nature and lack of player interaction. However, for families or casual gamers, it provides an enjoyable and easy-to-learn experience.

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