Yellow & Yangtze (2018) Board Game

Yellow & Yangtze is a board game designed by Reiner Knizia and published by Grail Games in in 2018. It is a spiritual successor to the classic board game Tigris & Euphrates, also designed by Knizia. The game is set in Ancient China during the Warring States period, where players take on the roles of different factions vying for power and control over territories along the Yellow and Yangtze rivers.

Game Components of Yellow & Yangtze

Leaders: Five different leaders (Governor, Soldier, Farmer, Trader, and Architect) each with unique abilities.

Tiles: Various colored tiles (Black, Red, Blue, Green, and Yellow/Gold) used for different actions and scoring.

Pagodas: Monuments built on the board that can be moved, stolen, or temporarily destroyed.

Scoring Cubes: Used to track victory points in each color category.

Board: A hexagonal grid representing ancient China during the Warring States period.

How To Setup Yellow & Yangtze

To set up the game, each player chooses a set of leader tokens and places them off the board. The board is composed of hexagonal tiles, and players start by placing their initial tiles according to the leader they have chosen. Each player also receives a starting set of tiles and scoring cubes. The public offer of tiles is set up, and the game is ready to begin.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Tile Placement: Players place tiles to build their civilization, using different leaders to perform various actions.

Conflict: External conflicts are resolved using red “soldier” tiles, which can result in the removal of tiles from the board.

Pagoda Building: Players build pagodas on the board, which can be stolen or destroyed.

Leader Management: Leaders can be used on the board or kept in reserve to provide bonuses.

Scoring: The game objective is to balance victory points across four colors (Black, Red, Blue, Green) with the Yellow/Gold color serving as a wild card. The score is determined by the lowest number of points in any one color.

Player Experience

Yellow & Yangtze offers a strategic and dynamic gameplay experience, though it is generally considered more accessible and less brutal than its predecessor, Tigris & Euphrates. Players must balance their civilization’s growth, manage conflicts, and optimize their leader usage. The game encourages strategic thinking and planning, with each move having significant implications for the outcome.

Pros

Balanced Strategy: Requires players to balance different aspects of their civilization.

Easy to Teach: More forgiving and accessible compared to Tigris & Euphrates.

Deep Gameplay: Offers many strategic choices and a high replayability factor.

Leader Bonuses: Leaders in reserve provide significant bonuses, adding depth to the game.

Cons

Less Dynamic Conflicts: Conflicts are less dramatic and less likely to drastically alter the board state compared to Tigris & Euphrates.

Less Brutal: Some players may find the game less intense or challenging due to its more balanced mechanics.

Complexity: While more accessible, the game still has a learning curve due to its intricate mechanics.

Personal Thoughts on Yellow & Yangtze

Yellow & Yangtze is ideal for players who enjoy strategic games with deep mechanics but prefer a more balanced and less brutal experience. It is a great introduction to complex strategy games, especially for those new to the genre. However, fans of the high-stakes conflicts in Tigris & Euphrates might find it slightly less engaging. Overall, it is a well-designed game that offers a rich and satisfying experience for strategy enthusiasts.

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