Castles of Burgundy Strategy Board Game for Adults & Kids Ages 12 Years Up - 1 to 4 Players

Castles of Burgundy is one of the most famous "Euro" style board games, published in 2011 and widely praised. In 2019, this new edition came out and it basically includes the base game plus eight expansions, seven of which were previously released as promotional items and one new to this release. So basically you get the same game but with more variety through new player boards. There is no reason to buy the original edition over this one - if you're interested in this game, either buy this 2019 edition or wait for a future edition (there is one planned for 2023). What is this game all about? The Castles of Burgundy is set in the Burgundy region of High Medieval France and each player is an aristocrat looking to expand their kingdom through building castles, trading along the river, exploring silver mines, etc. In a turn, each player rolls two dice and uses the results, which can be manipulated with the aid of workers, to get tiles from a common board and then eventually placing them onto their kingdom. Placing tiles gives you bonuses and allows players to chain combinations, while also awarding Victory Points. The game is played over a fixed number of rounds (25 total) and, at the end, the player with the most VPs is the winner. Positives: + Easy to learn but with good depth + Ideal to start non boardgamers into the hobby + Variability with the new player boards and two games never play the same also because of random tile placement + Allows 1-4 players + Great value for money, the game is surprisingly cheap compared to other board games Negatives: - The kingdom boards are extremely flimsy. This is something that hasn't been changed from the 2019 edition and I understand this is meant to keep both the price and the box size down. - Plays best with lower player count, wouldn't recommend it with 4 players - Diehard board gamers might not enjoy the dice mechanic Highly recommended!

Purchased as a birthday gift for an avid board gamer. This met all the recipients must-haves. The components withstand handling and repeated use. The instructions are clear and easy to understand, not overly complicated. Everything needed was in the box, and the box is very strong and will last for repeated openings, reboxing and closing. The colors of the components are contemporary for the era of the game setting (eg, they are muted earthy tones, yet clear and precisely printed on each component). This was very much enjoyed by the recipient and played often with his friends. Everyone liked it so much, it was on the table many times, and players said it was enjoyable and not overly complicated but competitive in a friendly way. It was one of the games taken frequently from the shelves. If considering as a gift or for your own play use, this is something I recommend.

When bought I had never played or even seen the game before but now own the App version as well. I only play solo and the game includes specific solo rules that are based upon completion of your "Duchy" rather than just beating your high score. The game seems quite complex at first but it really isn't. You seek to build a Duchy, selecting and placing hex tiles obtained from a main board by allocating dice rolls that can be modified in intriguing and thematic ways. Turns are quick and simple although the rulebook using the words "Phase" and "Round" threw me at first. Having now seen online content comparing this "Anniversary" version with the previous one, I concur with many of their opinions. The components are only of middling quality. I particularly had a problem with the hex tiles being extremely small and very difficult to see and understand. Yes I'm not young but I even had to use a magnifying glass until I could learn what each one was. The boards are correspondingly not just small but flimsy too with a thickness that would be fine for Christmas cards. When I bought what was admittedly described as a "Collectors Edition" of another well known tile laying town/ city building game, that had hex tiles that were 25% bigger than the original and were chunky and a pleasure to handle. Castles of Burgundy is very very disappointing in component quality in what seems a stingy and cost cutting way. Anniversary should be changed to Economy. The game could be almost beautiful but it is just ordinary. All that said, I really like the gameplay and it would be a delight to both solo and competitive players. In effect I would give just 1 or 2 stars to component quality but 4 to the gameplay experience. The latter would be 5 but the integral experience of handling poor quality of the components drags this down. Pity but buy it.

This is a great game but it takes a while to learn how to play. We suggest nominated one player to read the guide and the teach everyone else! Once you’re playing strategy is key but there is also an element of luck so it’s not always the same person winning. Nice size box but lots of little pieces which could easily get lost. Just be careful packing it away and you’ve got no issue.

We binged this game when we first got it. Several games a night for a couple of weeks. It is a perfect 2 player game, but we also enjoyed it as a 1 player game and a 3/4 player game. The way the games adjusts ever so slightly for the number of players is perfect (1player/2or3player/4player). The boards and tokens are high quality, with great detailed and summarised instructions. Also, comes with three (i think) optional expansions in the box. These can be added or removed as your mood dictates, and they really add some variety to the gameplay. All in all, highly recommend this game to anyone who likes board games.

Thematically vaguely set in Medieval France. Each player is an aristocrat controlling a domain. They develop settlements, castles, trade, mines and knowledge. This is done with 'Settlement tiles' placed gradually into your territory. Each has a function and is only suited to certain regions. There are five phases, each of five rounds. The game board starts with settlement tiles and goods tiles. To begin players roll their dice, which decides what options and goods are available. Players then DO two of four possible actions: 1. Take a settlement tile into reserve. 2. Place a settlement tile from reserves onto their player board. 3. Deliver goods . 4. Take worker tokens. Settlement tiles: Each offers various benefits: additional actions, additional money, advancement in your order of play, more goods tiles, die roll adjustment or victory points. The game ends after the fifth phase and most victory points = Win. What makes this edition by far the the best of all the many others, is that it includes eight expansions, seven of which were optional extras or promotions and one new to this release. It was very hard to find them all together. It is a bit of a classic and was a Spiele des jahres recommended 2011, and has 10 other prizes or nominations. I suspect the game is good enough to get another printing of this edition and the one bad feature (thin box card) will then be corrected. The components are otherwise fine. I've put a fablon sticky plastic book cover protection on my box and it's needed! This is a step up from my popular Catan (with less luck) and Alhambra (with more features) and it is a step in a good direction. The more players the merrier, 4 is best. Note: Some items sold under this title on Amazon-UK, are Italian, French, German or earlier editions. Some are from overseas sellers with ridiculous postage (sometimes nearly more than the cost of the game itself). This game is widely available in UK without that 'complication'. Watch your picks! RECOMMENDED

This.game is a must have for boardgamers! The rules are not the easiest to follow, however, I would recommend watching a playthrough on YouTube. It plays well with 2 players, and with 3 or 4 too. It is fiddly to set up as there are lots of components, but so worth it!

The art is terrible - who decided to remove the black dot from the face of the black tiles. Includes most of the expansions. The game it's self is a classic and great for two players and beginners.