- Publisher : Iello
- Designer(s) : Isra C., Shei S.
- Artist(s) : Joan Guardiet
- Players : 1–4
- Playing time : 80 Min
- Weight BGG : 3.03
What's this?
In White Castle, players take on the role of clan leaders who compete for their position and the future of their clan at the court of Himeji Castle, ruled by the daimyo Sakai.
How do you play?
The game consists of 3 rounds, each with 3 turns per player.
Each round, you choose a die from a deck and place it on a location on the main board or your personal board. Each location offers different actions depending on the color and value of the die. You can earn or pay resources based on the comparative value of the die.
➡️ Main Actions
1. Warrior: The Warrior action allows you to place a warrior on a training ground by paying in iron. Each terrain offers special actions depending on the tiles present.
2. Courtier: The Courtier action allows you to place a courtier at the gates of the castle for 2 coins, with no limit on the number. You can also have a courtier move up the castle by paying 2 pearls for one floor or 5 pearls for two. This climb allows you to collect Action cards and perform actions.
3. Gardener: The Gardener action consists of placing a gardener on a Garden card by spending food. Each garden offers specific actions that can be performed once the gardener is in place. At the end of each round, if there are dice left on some of the bridges, activate all the associated gardeners.
➡️ Lantern Rewards: You receive the benefits of all the icons visible in the Lantern area of your personal domain.
➡️ The Passage of Time track symbolizes the influence of the clans in the castle. At the end of each round, it determines the order of the next turn.
➡️ End of game: At the end of the 3rd round, the players count their victory points.
It is good ?
The White Castle is a pleasant surprise. This game offers a rich strategic experience where each decision must be carefully considered, given the limited number of turns (nine) per player. This short duration intensifies the requirement for reflection, but provides immense satisfaction when strategies and combos work.
The judicious placement of dice on the main and personal boards is essential to maximize actions and gains. Combos are essential to win, which makes the game demanding in terms of learning. The more you play, the more you will refine your strategy.
Adapting to opponent actions and seizing opportunities are essential. You have to be vigilant, because a mistake can be costly due to the limited number of turns.
The random configuration of bonus tiles and the various ways to manage the clan ensure great replayability.
The White Castle offers a dense and varied gaming experience, with deep mechanics. It is an excellent choice for those who enjoy strategic puzzles and short games.
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Review The White Castle
Positives
- Short games for a deep game
- Perfect for stimulating neurons
- A big game in a small box
- Quality material and illustrations for an attractive price
- A real nice surprise
Negatives
- Margin of error is reduced due to limited number of turns
- Not suitable for players who prefer to build a game engine for the long term
