The Castles of Burgundy: Special Edition Review

The Castles of Burgundy special edition is a premium reimagining of Stefan Feld’s beloved 2011 Eurogame, The Castles of Burgundy. This edition, published by Alea and Awaken Realms, elevates the classic game with upgraded components, refined artwork, and a host of expansions. The Castles of Burgundy is a mid – Euro dice game. As an ardent fan who has played the original extensively, I was eager to dive into this deluxe version. After multiple playthroughs with my gaming group, I am ready to share my in-depth review.

Castles of Burgundy Gameplay Overview

At its core, The Castles of Burgundy is a strategic tile-placement and dice-rolling game set in 15th-century France. Players take on the roles of aristocrats, aiming to develop their estates through careful planning and resource management. The game is played over five phases (A through E), with each phase consisting of five rounds. Each player starts with a unique player board representing their duchy, which they will develop by acquiring and placing various types of hexagonal tiles.

Theme and Components

The Castles of Burgundy is set in the picturesque Loire Valley of France during the 15th century. Players take on the roles of influential aristocrats tasked with developing their estates into thriving duchies. This historical backdrop provides a rich tapestry for the game as players build settlements, trade along rivers, cultivate livestock, mine silver, and leverage knowledge to gain an edge over their competitors.

Theme

The thematic elements in Castles of Burgundy are intricately woven into every aspect of gameplay. Each action players take—whether it’s acquiring tiles, placing them on their boards, or shipping goods—reflects the multifaceted responsibilities of managing a medieval estate. The game’s artwork and components further immerse players in this historical setting, making each decision feel like a step towards building a prosperous domain.

This special edition features completely overhauled artwork, featuring bolder and brighter visuals compared to the original’s somewhat muted palette. Each hex tile now boasts detailed illustrations that make differentiating between them easier at a glance. The color differentiation between tiles has also been improved; for example, monasteries are now distinctly yellow rather than a confusing greenish hue.

Components

The Castles of Burgundy: Special Edition boasts an impressive array of high-quality components that enhance both the aesthetic appeal and functionality of the game. Here is a detailed look at what you’ll find inside this deluxe edition:

1. Dual-Layered Player Boards: Each player receives a dual-layered board representing their duchy. These boards are designed with recessed spaces for placing hexagonal tiles securely without slipping out during gameplay. This enhancement significantly improves usability compared to flat cardboard boards found in earlier editions.

The player boards in the Castles of Burgundy: Special Edition are not just for show. They serve as the perfect platform for the game’s key components: Tiles, Dice, Resources, and the Victory Points Track. This strategic placement ensures a smooth and enjoyable gameplay experience.

2. Hexagonal Tiles: The game includes an array of beautifully illustrated hexagonal tiles categorized into different types (buildings, ships, animals, monasteries). Each tile type is color-coded for easy identification during play—blue for ships; green for animals; yellow for monasteries; brown for buildings; gray for mines; dark red hues denote castles respectively.

The illustrations on these tiles have been revamped with more vibrant colors & intricate details, making them visually appealing while retaining the clarity necessary for functional gameplay purposes.

3. Castle Miniatures (Expansion) & Hex Holders: A major upgrade in Castles of Burgundy comes in the form of plastic miniatures representing castles, which replace cardboard cutouts used previously. This adds a three-dimensional element, enhancing the thematic immersion experience. Though the slightly larger size may obscure other adjacent pieces sometimes, causing minor inconvenience, it is overall worth the trade-off, given the added aesthetic appeal! These elements are placed on the red hexagon of the double-sided board. They can be found only in the special edition.

Plastic hex holders provided for each player board keep all placed securely, preventing accidental bumps from disrupting carefully planned layouts. This is another thoughtful addition streamlining setup and maintaining order throughout sessions!

4. Turn order markers: The turn order markers are used to track which player goes next during each round. These markers are also an upgrade from the original game’s components, which are now actual towers instead of plain cylinders. At the beginning of each round, players place their turn order markers on the designated track to indicate who will take their turns first, second, third, etc.

5. Silver Coins: Currency within the Castles of Burgundy represented using metal coins adding satisfying weight clink enhancing tactile feel transactions! Silver coins allow players to buy hexagonal tiles from the market, providing strategic options for expanding their territories and gaining points. In the standard edition, silver coins are typically represented by simple cardboard tokens. There are 24 silver coins in this board game.

6. Central Board & Neoprene Playmat (Optional): Central board enlarged printed thick cardboard stock increasing durability visual appeal central hub where various depots black market located facilitating smooth flow actions taken players turns! Optional neoprene playmat available separately offers an even more luxurious playing surface, though not essential for enjoying the base game itself!

7. Cloth Bags: These bags are used to hold and randomly draw the hexagonal tiles throughout the game.

During the game, players draw tiles from these bags. This random drawing mechanism adds an element of chance and unpredictability, ensuring that each game plays out differently.

The bags make it easy for players to access tiles without disrupting the game setup. Players simply reach into the bag to draw tiles, which speeds up gameplay and keeps the table tidy. There are four cloth bags available in the standard version, but there is also a bigger cloth bag available in the Vineyard’s expansion, which is bigger and is a darker green color. You can find more info in the Vineyards section.

8. Dice & Worker Tiles: Standard six-sided dice included rolling determining actions taken each turn along customizable worker tiles, allowing modification results, providing greater strategic flexibility, planning moves ahead, and ensuring optimal outcomes desired scenarios arise during course gameplay sessions!

9. Victory points markers & Victory Point Miniatures (Expansion): Victory point markers in Castles of Burgundy are used to keep track of each player’s score on the victory point track that runs around the edge of the main game board. In the Special Edition, these markers are often more detailed and thematic, featuring designs that fit the game’s medieval setting. They might resemble small figures or tokens that align with the game’s noble and architectural themes.

The plastic bases provide a stable platform for the victory point markers, ensuring they stay upright and are easily visible on the board. Overall, the upgraded victory point markers and their plastic bases in The Castles of Burgundy Special Edition contribute to a more polished and enjoyable gaming experience. These enhancements not only improve functionality but also add a touch of elegance to this classic strategy game.
The victory point miniatures, a unique feature exclusive to The Castles of Burgundy Special Edition, are an upgraded component designed to track players’ scores throughout the game. The minis are sturdier than standees not easily knocked down and you do not have to deal with their plastic bases falling off.

Castles of Burgundy Game mechanics

Turn Structure

Dice Rolling and Actions: At the beginning of each turn, players roll two six-sided dice. These dice rolls determine the actions available to players during their turn. There are four main actions that players can perform using their dice:

• Acquire a Tile: Players can use one dice to take a tile from the central depots (numbered 1-6) that matches the dice result. These tiles are then placed in the player’s storage area for future use. (max 3)
• Place a Tile: Players can use one dice to place a tile from their storage area onto their duchy board in a location matching the dice result. Placement must follow specific adjacency rules and terrain requirements.
• Sell Goods: Players can use one dice to sell goods from their storage area that match the dice result. This action provides immediate victory points (VPs) and silver coins (the game’s currency).
• Take Workers: Players can use any dice result to take two worker tiles. Workers allow players to modify future dice rolls by +/- 1, providing greater flexibility in their actions.

Worker Tokens

Worker tiles are a crucial resource in The Castles of Burgundy. They allow players to adjust their dice rolls by +/- 1, making it easier to perform desired actions even when the dice results are not ideal. Managing your supply of workers effectively is critical to maintaining flexibility and optimizing your strategy. There are 26 worker Tokens.

Tile Types

• Building Tiles: These provide immediate or ongoing benefits, such as additional workers, coins or modified action capabilities.
• Ship Tiles: These allow players to acquire goods to their warehouse and determine turn orders by moving their tower ahead.
• Animal Tiles: These tiles score points based on the number and type of animals placed in connected pastures.
• Monastery Tiles: These offer various bonuses and benefits when placed. They might be ongoing or end of game scoring.
• Mine Tiles: These provide coins at the end of each phase. One coin for each silver mine a player has.
• Castle Tiles: These grant an extra action immediately upon placement. The action can be any die result.

Castles of Burgundy Central Board and Depots

The central board features numbered depots (1-6) where tiles are placed at the beginning of each phase. Players use their dice results to acquire tiles from these depots. The central board also includes a black market depot where special black market tiles can be purchased using silver coins.

Expansion Elements

In the special edition of Castles of Burgundy, there are bonus elements (expansion of the game) that make the gameplay better and more fun. The expansion contains:

• 12 “Trade Routes”
• 4 additional hex tiles
• 9 additional hex tiles “The White Castles
• 5 additional hex tiles “The Inns”
• 18 Shield Tiles
• 2 border post bonus tiles

Trade Routes: Trade route tiles add a new dimension of commerce and connectivity between different parts of the player’s estate. Establishing trade routes can provide immediate benefits, similar to building tiles bonuses or just straight-up points. How do you establish trade routes? Well, by trading goods, of course. In addition to getting coins and points, you can now fulfill the requirements of a trading route by matching the dice number of sold goods with the required space in the trade route. If it matches, you get the bonus represented in that space.

Additional hex tiles: These tiles provide extra options for players to place on their estates, adding variety and strategic choices. Players can use these tiles to enhance their strategies, focusing on different aspects such as resource production, trade, or building bonuses. Fun fact: These Hex Tiles are made from real acrylic.

Additional Hex Tiles “The White Castles”: “The White Castles” tiles introduce new strategic elements and objectives related to castle construction. These tiles are designed with a white castle theme and feature distinct abilities. Up until now, the white die was used to determine where the next good tile would pop up and who the starting player would be. However, placing a white castle tile allows a player to take an extra action, which is determined by the value of the white die.

Additional Hex Tiles “The Inns”: “The Inns” tiles are multicolored. They can go to any space, but only one inn is allowed per colored area. They do not provide any immediate benefit. However, when you finally score that area, you count it as one level higher. For example, the level 3 area is level 4, the level 5 is level 6, and so on.

Shield Tiles: Shield tiles introduce a new layer of defense and protection mechanics to the game. The defense is mainly against lousy luck since you can only get them if your dice are of equal value. In other dice games, this is usually a good thing; however, in Castles of Burgundy, it is terrible luck. Basically, you can spend your whole turn to get one shield, but they provide you with a very cool benefit or a large amount of points.

Border Post Bonus Tiles: Border post bonus tiles offer extra points for achieving specific conditions related to the edges of the player boards. Players earn these bonus tiles by connecting areas along the edges of their player boards. This adds another strategic layer as players must balance central development with edge completion for maximum points.

Vineyards Expansion

The vineyard’s expansion of Castles of Burgundy introduces double hex tiles with different types of fruits that fit into triple-layered vineyard boards attached to your main board. Players can place vineyard tiles just like regular tiles to earn bonuses printed on the spaces. They may also contribute to end-game scoring based on the number of vine bonus tiles collected and if they match the color of the grapes. Vineyard tiles are also two hexes long, meaning you can hold one at a time. This Castles of Burgundy expansion adds a strategic layer as players balance developing their duchies with managing vineyards. The cunning player can do both.

This expansion contains 6 elements:

• 1 Vineyard Store
• 51 Double Hex Tiles
• 4 Vineyard boards
• 1 Vineyard depot
• 24 vine bonus tiles
• 1 cloth bag (dark green)

Taking a double hex tile: The result of your dice indicates which double hex tile you may take. During your turn, you may spend a dice to take a double hex tile with a matching number from the vineyard depot and place it in your storage.

Place a double hex tile in your vineyard: Take a double hex tile from your player board storage and place it on an empty double hex space on your vineyard board (never in your duchy!) that matches the dice result. You may rotate the double hex tile in any way before placing it. Your first double hex tile must be placed at the bottom layer of the vineyard board (on the spaces numbered 1 or 4). The next double hex tiles must always be placed in a space directly adjacent to any previously placed double hex tile (connected to at least one side).

Vineyard Store

The vineyard store is where the vineyard tiles are stored. It has dice values from 1 to 6, and players can get these tiles by spending the correct die. The bottom part holds three additional vineyard tiles, which can be purchased with 2 silver coins, just like a regular black market action.

Vineyard Tiles & Cloth Bag

In the Vineyard expansion of The Castles of Burgundy Special Edition, the 24 vine bonus tiles and cloth bag add an exciting new dimension to the game.

The bonus tiles offer additional scoring opportunities related to vineyard management. They add strategic depth, encouraging players to focus on vineyard development. Which bonus tiles to focus on early on and which ones to get mid game.

The Cloth bag in the Vineyard’s expansion is noticeably more extensive than the standard cloth bags and has a darker green shade. It is used to store and randomly draw the Vineyard tiles during gameplay. It enhances the tactile experience and adds an element of chance. The cloth bag keeps the Vineyard tiles hidden until drawn, maintaining suspense. It is fascinating when a tile of the same color pops up, and all players rush to get it.

Castles of Burgundy End Game Bonuses

At the end of the game, additional bonuses are awarded for specific achievements such as having completed all regions of a certain color or having shipped the most goods. These bonuses add another layer of strategic consideration as players plan their long-term goals throughout the game.

The border post bonus tiles offer further opportunities for players to gain points by achieving specific conditions related to the edges of their player boards. Players can earn border post bonus tiles by connection areas along the edges of their player boards.

Scoring

Players score points throughout the game for various actions, such as placing tiles, selling goods, and completing regions on their duchy boards. Additionally, there are end-game bonuses for specific achievements, such as having the most buildings or shipping goods. However, you need to secure monasteries the yellow tiles, which provide end-of-game scoring opportunities to get these.

Strengths of The Castles of Burgundy: Special Edition

Strategic Depth: The Castles of Burgundy offers a rich, multi-layered strategic experience that rewards careful planning and tactical decision-making. The sheer volume of expansions and mini addons upgrade this game from simple dice action to resource management, set collection, engine building and many more mechanisms. Although this makes the game almost twice as long, all these different board game mechanisms work in concert creating a beautiful picture.

• Replayability: With various tile combinations and player board layouts, each game feels fresh and unique.
• Component Quality: The special edition boasts high-quality components, including dual-layered player boards and detailed miniatures.
• Balanced Mechanics: The dice-rolling mechanism is well-balanced with worker tiles, allowing players to mitigate some bad luck.
• Scalability: The Castles of Burgundy plays well at all player counts, including a robust solo mode.
• Expansions Included: The special edition comes with several expansions, adding value and variety to the base game.
• Thematic Integration: The mechanics tie well with the theme of developing a medieval estate.
• Accessibility: Despite its depth, Castles of Burgundy is relatively easy to learn, with intuitive turn structures.

Weaknesses of The Castles of Burgundy: Special Edition

• Analysis Paralysis: The multitude of options can lead to long turns, especially for players prone to overthinking.
• Limited Player Interaction: While there is indirect competition for tiles and scoring opportunities, direct player interaction is minimal.
• Complexity for New Players: The variety of tile types and their functions can be overwhelming for newcomers.
• Setup Time: Setting up the game can be time-consuming due to the number of components.
• Theme Abstraction: Some players may find the theme somewhat abstracted in relation to the mechanics.
• Price Point: The special edition’s enhanced components come at a higher price, which may be prohibitive for some.
• Table Space: The game requires a significant amount of table space, especially with all expansions in play.
• Potential for Runaway Leader: Skilled players can sometimes build insurmountable leads, though this is mitigated by player experience.

Personal Playthrough Highlights

One standout moment from our playthrough was completing a large field area with multiple livestock tiles early in phase B, which scored significant points and set up future high-scoring turns. Another highlight was experimenting with the Vineyards expansion, which added complexity and required careful planning. Verica’s strategic vineyard placements ultimately secured her victory, showcasing the depth of the game’s strategy.

The Castles of Burgundy Final Thoughts

Is The Castles of Burgundy Special Edition worth its hefty price tag? For die-hard fans like myself who have played countless games since its original release—absolutely yes! This deluxe version elevates every aspect, from component quality through enhanced visuals to smoother gameplay. For newcomers or those unsure about classic Euro-style games, the basic gateway version still offers great value while retaining the core experience.

In conclusion, whether upgrading an existing copy or diving into Stefan Feld’s masterpiece for the first time, look no further than this stunningly beautiful and highly functional “Special Edition.” It does justice to a timeless classic, ensuring many more years of enjoyment.