Welcome, fellow board game lovers! Today, we’re diving into the world of medieval intrigue and city-building with our review of Citadel. This game blends strategy with a hint of luck, making you feel like a cunning mastermind—or an unlucky jester. From secret role-picking to beautifully crafted components, we’re breaking down the best and the not-so-great aspects of this well-loved game. So, grab your crown and let’s get started!
How It Plays
Setting Up
First, shuffle the deck of district cards and deal four to each player. Give each player two gold coins. Place the remaining coins and deck in the center. Next, select roles based on the number of players. Shuffle the role cards and, depending on player count, remove certain roles from the game. Players will then take turns choosing their roles for the round, keeping them secret.
Gameplay
Each round, players take turns in the order of their chosen roles. Players can either collect two gold coins or draw two cards, keeping one. They then use their coins to build districts from their hand. Each role has unique abilities, like stealing coins or destroying districts, which adds a layer of strategy and ‘gotcha’ moments.
Winning the Game
The game continues until a player builds their eighth district. Then, the current round finishes, and players tally their points. Points come from the value of their districts and bonus points for completing other objectives, like having a district of each color. The player with the highest score wins!
Want to know more? Read our extensive strategy guide for Citadel.
Gameplay Mechanics and Flow in Citadel
When I first cracked open the box of Citadel, the mechanics intrigued me right off the bat. The game revolves around players building their own medieval cities while trying to sabotage their opponents. What I love is how every round starts with this neat draft system where players pick one of eight unique roles. Each role has its own special ability, which adds a layer of strategy right from the start.
It’s not just choose-and-use; you must think ahead and predict what your friends might pick. One time, I thought I’d outsmart my buddy by picking the Assassin, hoping he’d pick the Merchant. Guess what? He picked the Thief. My Assassin was useless and he swiped my cash! It’s moments like these that make Citadel filled with ‘gotcha’ moments, and it keeps everyone on their toes.
The building phase is where the game truly shines. You get gold or draw district cards, and then you build districts in your city. Each district has its own cost and benefits. Some have nasty tricks up their sleeves which can disrupt others. During one game, I built the Dragon Gate and watched my friend’s perfect city crumble faster than my New Year resolutions.
Citadel does rely on some luck when drawing cards, but it’s balanced by the strategic depth in role selection. However, if you’re cursed with bad luck, you might find yourself lagging behind players who draw better. Remember, though, this is more about outsmarting your opponents than just pure luck.
Next, let’s break down how player interaction and strategic cunning can lead to both glorious victories and hilarious defeats!
Player Interaction and Strategy in Citadel
If there’s one thing that Citadel nails, it’s player interaction. You can’t just sit back and relax; you need to be on your toes, suspicious of everyone. The game forces you to interact and strategize in ways that can be both hilarious and frustrating—sometimes at the same time!
In one game, I had my buddy Steve convinced I was the Assassin. He avoided targeting me the whole game while I quietly built my little citadel in the corner. By the time he realized his mistake, it was too late. He still sulks about it. Classic Steve.
The strategy revolves around psyching out your friends and making calculated risks. Each round, players choose roles that grant them different abilities, like building new districts or swiping some gold. But the kicker? You have to pick in secret, and then guess what everyone else picked. This mechanic makes each turn a high-stakes poker game, with bluffing and second-guessing. It can be a hoot or drive you up the wall, depending on how paranoid you are.
The game also encourages alliances, but they’re always temporary. One minute you’re working together, the next someone’s stabbed you in the back. It’s like the Game of Thrones, but with fewer dragons and more cardboard.
Another interesting thing is how your plans can fall apart because someone else decides to mess with you. It keeps the game fresh but can also be a double-edged sword. You’ll need both a solid plan and a backup if things go south.
Next, we’ll tackle the elephant in the room: game balance and fairness. That should be a tale worth telling.
Game Balance and Fairness in Citadel
If you’ve ever played Citadel, you know how heated discussions can get about its game balance and fairness. So let’s get to the nitty-gritty. Citadel is all about building cities, but the game’s balance lies in its character roles. Each role has unique abilities that can shake up the game. For example, the Assassin can take out another player’s character, while the Thief can swipe someone’s gold. These abilities ensure no one player can get too far ahead.
Now, does it always feel fair? Mostly, yes. However, there’s some luck involved in picking characters, which can sometimes throw off the game’s balance. I remember one game where I kept drawing roles that just didn’t gel with my strategy. My buddy Dave, on the other hand, seemed to have a knack for always getting the Architect! Luck of the draw, I guess. But these hiccups are usually rare.
Another factor that keeps Citadel balanced is its ever-shifting alliances. Players can gang up on the leader, which keeps the game tight. But this isn’t a perfect world; sometimes ganging up feels a bit over the top, making the leader’s downfall feel a tad unfair. It’s like being the best dancer at a party, only to have everyone else switch to a new song.
Overall, Citadel strikes a decent balance but isn’t perfect in fairness. The blend of strategy and luck makes it accessible but can sometimes frustrate hardcore strategists who crave more control.
Moving on, let’s talk about the eye-catching component quality and artwork that make Citadel shine.
Component Quality and Artwork in Citadel
When it comes to Citadel, the first thing you’ll notice is how visually striking the game is. The artwork is top-notch, with detailed character illustrations that practically jump off the cards. I remember picking the game up and being immediately drawn to the vibrant colors and rich details.
The components themselves are solid. The cards have a nice weight to them and don’t feel flimsy. You know how some games have cards that feel like they’re made out of tissue paper? Not Citadel. These babies are designed to last through countless rounds of backstabbing and city-building.
And let’s not forget about the coins! These pieces of cardboard money might not be made of gold, but they sure don’t feel cheap. They’ve got a good thickness, and I doubt they’ll wear out anytime soon. The district markers are equally solid and the attention to detail on these little buildings is quite impressive.
One minor gripe I have is with the box insert. While it holds the components, it doesn’t do a great job of organizing them. After a few playthroughs, you might find yourself digging for cards or coins at the bottom of the box. A bit of a treasure hunt, if you will.
Overall, the high-quality components and stunning artwork make playing Citadel a feast for the eyes and a pleasure to handle. If you’re someone who appreciates a game that looks and feels premium, I definitely recommend giving Citadel a spot on your shelf.
Conclusion
And that’s the wrap-up for Citadel! It’s a game that cleverly blends strategy and luck, with unique role selection and thrilling player interaction. The artwork and components are fantastic, even if the box insert could be better. While there are occasional balance issues due to luck, it doesn’t overshadow the fun and strategic depth. If you’re looking for a game to test your wits and forge (or break) alliances, Citadel is a solid choice. Just be ready for those ‘gotcha’ moments!
