- Publisher(s) : Don't Panic Games
- Designer(s) : Andrea Chiarvesio, Luca Iennaco
- Artist(s) : NC
- Players : 2–5
- Playing time : 90 -120 Min
- Weight BGG : 2.45
What's this?
Originally released in 2007, Kingsburg is a dice placement and resource management board game. Known for its dice system, it invites players to embody provincial governors who must develop their territory under the eye of the king.
This third edition, released in 2024, brings a graphic update, some rule adjustments and directly integrates the expansions that enrich the gaming experience.
How do you play?
Kingsburg is played over five years (game turns), with each year divided into several phases corresponding to the seasons. The goal is to develop your province while repelling enemy attacks at the end of each year.
➡️ 1. Royal Council Phase (Spring, Summer, Autumn)
Each player rolls three dice (or more with certain abilities) and uses their results to influence the royal advisors (from 1 to 18). Each advisor offers bonuses in resources, soldiers or other strategic advantages. The higher the sum of dice placed, the more powerful the advisor.
➡️ 2. Construction Phase
With the resources collected, players build buildings that offer permanent abilities or immediate bonuses. Each building improves the development strategy and the ability to face threats.
➡️ 3. Winter Phase: Enemy Attack
Each year ends with an enemy invasion. Players must have accumulated enough soldiers (via advisors or the royal reserve) to defend themselves. In case of victory, they receive a reward, but in case of defeat, they suffer penalties.
➡️ 4. End of Game
After five years, the player who has accumulated the most victory points (via construction, battles and various bonuses) wins the game.
Is it good?
Kingsburg remains a safe bet in the dice management, resource management board game, with accessible mechanics and interesting tactical depth.
The indirect interaction between players, where the placement of your dice on the advisors directly influences the opponent’s decisions, is a key element. You can even be tricky to block your opponents!
Under its simple game appearance, Kingsburg reveals a strategic complexity that can be merciless. The winter phase, with its enemy attacks, can reduce to nothing the buildings constructed, adding constant tension.
Of course, dice management involves a significant amount of chance. If you are allergic to it, this game may not be for you.
The basic game box includes many expansions, offering great replayability. One of them even makes the combat phase more interesting.
The multitude of buildings and advisors allows for a wide variety of strategies, constantly renewing the gaming experience.
What about the new version?
I would have liked to see higher quality material for this new edition. Unfortunately, nothing has been improved compared to the second edition. The illustrations are not very engaging and the cardboard resources replace the wood of the old edition, which is regrettable. However, it seems that the rules have been revised for better understanding.
In summary, if you already own the old versions, this new edition will not bring any major changes. On the other hand, if you do not have any version of Kingsburg, this game remains an essential classic. It offers simple mechanisms, explained in a few minutes, while offering a strategic depth that will delight fans of dice and resource management games.
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Review Kingsburg 3rd edition
Despite some disappointments regarding the material of the new edition, Kingsburg remains a must-have for fans of dice management games.
Positives
- Smooth and strategic mechanics
- A classic in dice management
- Good replayability with the included expansions
Negatives
- Disappointing material
- The part of chance with the dice
- A game that can be mean with the battles
