After the top 5 best board games for adults in the crime & thrill category, the fantasy & adventure category and the top list for the top 5 best board games for adults - economy & development strategy category, we are now traveling back to a time of daring knights and lovely damsels: the Middle Ages and the time of sieges and castles. In the following article I will introduce you to the top 5 best board games for adults - category Middle Ages & Castles.
It was important to me to choose games that capture the spirit and atmosphere of the Middle Ages well, instead of relying on board games that only rely on a medieval game concept; There are enough of them, but these games are not in demand here.
The gates of the world
The medieval board game The gates of the world from Kosmos Verlag is recommended not only because of the great book by Ken Follett. And if a board game has already received a special award from the critics, then you should take a closer look. 2 to 4 adult board players travel to the 14th century, that is, back to the era of the late Middle Ages, to build prestigious structures. 200 years after the construction of Kingsbridge Cathedral, to be re-enacted in the board game The pillars of the earth, the descendants of the main characters from the "first part" devote themselves to new tasks. It may be traded, built, eaten or religiously operated. The plague also raged in the 14th century, so it is not surprising that medical knowledge is also part of this board game. Even for modern physicians, the additional knowledge about the "Black Death" should be helpful - who knows what the future will bring?
In each game round a new event card is revealed, which brings the players closer to the actions from the book template. The medieval board game is wonderfully linked to the background story and it is absolutely recommendable to read the book before or after playing. The great instructions take beginners by the hand and guide them through the game without getting bored with typical instructions. New game elements are introduced gradually, so that even the first game is thoroughly entertaining.
Due to the ever new events, even established plans are often discarded and new strategies have to be found in order to get victory points. Priorities are shifted and resources should be used sensibly and carefully if you want to emerge victorious from the game. It gets really chivalrous with The gates of the world not, but the late Middle Ages is a great medieval setting for board gamers who are "old school". My conclusion: definitely try it!
The builders, middle ages
Simple title, simple game. But it is precisely for this reason that this medieval board game from Bombyx is so interesting for fans of the genre. In this title, too, everything revolves around the pompous buildings that shaped the Middle Ages. A careful use of the available building resources is the core element in this fast-paced tactics game. 2 to 4 players vie for the position of the royal court architect (with an additional r it would be even more interesting!). The more and the faster the players can complete their buildings, the greater the amounts of gold that fill the coffers. And just like today, the rule applies: more coal, more employees! And more workers leads to even more effective processes on the medieval construction site, because these construction specialists bring useful knowledge and valuable raw materials with them. Whoever thought that medieval construction workers would listen to the sound of bards drinking barley juice and whistle after pretty virgins is completely wrong!
Only three actions are free of charge for each player per game round. That brings strategic depth into play because it requires a really careful use of resources. The players must quickly use their saved gold in order to be able to carry out further actions. So every lap is a tactical tightrope walk and makes The builders, middle ages to a board game with long-term entertainment value. Despite the claim, this board game is also accessible to children from 10 years of age, which means that The builders, middle ages is an ideal title for family board games. The low investment costs of just under 15 euros are also a strong selling point. Incidentally, the game is perfect for two players and already unfolds its full character in this small round. Additional players make the action more opaque, which further increases the level of difficulty. My tip for quick, uncomplicated medieval board game evenings.
Our Lady
"Power and machinations in the shadow of the cathedral" is the subtitle of this medieval board game from Ravensburger. 2 to 5 players fight for wealth, power and fame in 14th century Paris. Very worthwhile goals when you consider that wealth was only granted to a few in the late Middle Ages - which makes the game thematically frighteningly topical again.
Helpful acts are attempts to bribe church members, city guards or even the mayor. The opponent is given by particularly tricky power-hungry even unloved, because disadvantageous cards. The greatest enemy of all prosperous citizens of the Middle Ages are the plagues of rats, which destroy supplies and spread disease among the people. So if you are not careful as hell, you will simply run out of subjects who can then no longer be relieved of their belongings. Our Lady was on the recommendation list for the game of the year 2007 and rightly so. Despite its age, this medieval board game is far from being old iron. The game material looks nice and convinces with beautiful illustrations. Map texts are also completely dispensed with, which increases the familiarization time a little. A classic duel with 2 players consumes around half an hour of playing time. With 5 players, the games take longer. The replayability is high and that is exactly what it does Our Lady a real gem. At just under 50 euros, the game is not a bargain, but it will fill many board game evenings with exciting entertainment. My conclusion: Our Lady Don't miss out, the investment is definitely worth it.
Lancaster
Lancaster is a classic medieval board game from the Knights & Castles category. In 1413 Henry V is crowned the new King of England. The angry French don't think that's that great, of course, and so a fight for the crown breaks out. This board game by Queen Games puts 2 to 5 players in the roles of brave knights who have to secure the support of the lords. The beautifully designed game board gives the impression of a highly tactical placement game in the course of the game and indeed: Lancaster is complex, exciting and incredibly tactical. This is supported on the one hand by the secret parliamentary votes when it comes to passing new laws that are most beneficial to one's own interests. On the other hand, limiting the number of rounds helps you to play as efficiently as possible. Every batch Lancaster is limited to five game rounds and even the most powerful siege weapon cannot change that. The players are forced to accumulate the highest possible gold reserves in order to optimize the income from the individual counties. It is important to increase your own knighthood through training in the castle, while never losing sight of the stone domicile. The players perform three actions in each of the five rounds: set up knights, pass laws and evaluate county income. In this way, power points are collected that decide between victory and defeat. The most fascinating element of the game is the combination of the common struggle against the common enemy France and the power struggle of the noble houses among themselves. The mood of the Middle Ages is captured wonderfully by the intrigue. And the first one provides even more motivation extension The new lawswhich contains no more than 18 new bills, but is still a must for fans of the game. With just under 45 euros Lancaster less than a long sword, but more than a wooden soup spoon. My conclusion: Heard as a fan of the Middle Ages Lancaster in every gaming closet.
Orleans
And here is my number one in the top 5 best board games for adults - Medieval & Castles category: Orleans by dlp Games, nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2015. The slightly squashed-looking knight on the front of the packaging shouldn't hide the fact that Orleans is a truly worthy title holder. This time everything takes place in the city of Orléans in France for 2 to 4 players. Anyone who expected a weapon-wielding Joan of Arc will be disappointed with this. Orléans is somewhat similar to the runner-up medieval board game Lancaster however, it is even more complex. The winning title is also a genuine worker placement board game, but it plays with many more worker placements than other comparable titles. Within 18 game rounds the players try to accumulate a large supply of goods and offices as well as citizens and money in order to win the game. The limitation of the rounds ensures the necessary tension here too, since every player has to proceed strategically from the start in order to be able to be successful; Forgive mistakes Orleans not and that's a good thing, because this circumstance creates a noticeable arc of tension. The number of laps is also visualized for everyone by means of lap tiles. In addition, these tiles reveal an event in each round. It becomes tactical because the workers are not miraculous all-rounders, but pure specialists who only take on one task each: farmers, craftsmen, boatmen, knights, scholars, traders and monks who represent jokers and can fill the role of any worker. The uncovered events dictate what will happen at the end of the round, for example whether taxes have to be paid or the serious business has to be taken and goods have to be handed in. By drawing worker tiles, the hardworking followers come into play, each of which unlocks very individual action elements. These can consist of drawing additional tiles, automating fields or building buildings.
The many possible courses of action and complex moves are reflected in the playing time of 90 minutes, which is sometimes still tight. After a game Orleans the brains of the players literally scream for a pitcher of mead to replenish the sugar reserves. It only becomes really competitive in the finish sprint, before that the players act quite independently, which is difficult enough, however. If you don't shy away from complex strategy games, Orléans is one of the best, if not the best medieval board game of the last ten years. My conclusion: Here you can do what you want and you can win and annoy your opponents with clever moves. Don't hesitate, gamble!
