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Architects of the West Kingdom box art

Base game

Architects of the West Kingdom

Kritiku rating

Early

7.2

Published
2018
Reach
Well known
Players
1–5
Play time
60–80 min
Weight
Medium light
Ratings
1

How it plays

Earn the most points by constructing buildings, contributing to the cathedral, and managing your virtue. On your turn, place a worker at a location, with more of your workers there making its action stronger, to gather resources, hire apprentices, capture rivals, trade, or build. The game ends when the construction spaces fill; score buildings, cathedral progress, virtue, and bonuses, then lose points for debts and penalties.

Main mechanics

  • Trading & negotiation
  • Drafting
  • Direct conflict
  • Worker placement
  • Trading & negotiation: Deals between players move the game forward.
  • Drafting: You pick from a shared pool and pass the rest along.
  • Direct conflict: Players attack each other head-on.
  • Worker placement: You claim limited action spots before anyone else does.
Full publisher description

Architects of the West Kingdom is set at the end of the Carolingian Empire, circa 850 AD. As royal architects, players compete to impress their King and maintain their noble status by constructing various landmarks throughout his newly appointed domain. Players need to collect raw materials, hire apprentices, and keep a watchful eye on their workforce. These are treacherous times, and rival architects will stop at nothing to slow your progress. Will you remain virtuous, or be found in the company of thieves and black marketeers? The aim of Architects of the West Kingdom is to be the player with the most victory points (VP) at game's end. Points are gained by constructing various buildings and advancing work on the Archbishop's cathedral. Throughout the game, players need to make a lot of moral decisions. However, only at game's end will their virtue be judged. A few underhand deals here and there might not seem like much, but fall too far and you will be punished. The game ends once a set number of constructions have been completed. description from the publisher

Criterion breakdown

ComplexityDepthSkillInteractionTable ExpProduction
  • Kritiku average
Criterion
Kritiku
Complexity

Simple

2.0
Depth

Modest

2.0
Luck vs Skill

Balanced

3.0
Player Interaction

Low Conflict

2.0
Table Experience

Pleasant

3.0
Production

Solid

3.0