{"id":10738,"date":"2024-08-11T19:48:02","date_gmt":"2024-08-11T19:48:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/boardgamesland.com\/?p=10738"},"modified":"2024-10-21T19:38:16","modified_gmt":"2024-10-21T19:38:16","slug":"castles-of-burgundy-special-edition-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/boardgamesland.com\/castles-of-burgundy-special-edition-review\/","title":{"rendered":"The Castles of Burgundy: Special Edition Review"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Castles of Burgundy Gameplay Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At its core, The Castles of Burgundy is a strategic tile-placement and dice-rolling game<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Theme and Components<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Theme<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The thematic elements in Castles of Burgundy are intricately woven into every aspect of gameplay. Each action players take\u2014whether it’s acquiring tiles, placing them on their boards, or shipping goods\u2014reflects 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Components<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Dual-Layered Player Boards:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Hexagonal Tiles:<\/strong> 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\u2014blue for ships; green for animals; yellow for monasteries; brown for buildings; gray for mines; dark red hues denote castles respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Castle Miniatures (Expansion) & Hex Holders:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Turn order markers<\/strong>: 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Silver Coins:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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6. Central Board & Neoprene Playmat (Optional):<\/strong> 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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Cloth Bags:<\/strong> These bags are used to hold and randomly draw the hexagonal tiles throughout the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Dice & Worker Tiles: <\/strong>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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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9. Victory points markers & Victory Point Miniatures<\/strong> (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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Castles of Burgundy Game mechanics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Turn Structure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dice Rolling and Actions:<\/strong> 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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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