Between Two Castles of Mad King Ludwig
- Designer Matthew O'Malley , Ben Rosset
- Publisher Stonemaier Games , Arclight Games , Bézier Games , CrowD Games , Delta Vision Publishing
- Illustration Laura Bevon , Agnieszka Dabrowiecka , Bartłomiej Kordowski , Noah Adelman
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Start for freeWhat to Expect
In this game, you collaborate with your neighbors to design two castles simultaneously. Each turn, you select two room tiles from your hand, reveal them, and place them together with your partners. You must balance your attention between both castles to build the most impressive ones. The game combines teamwork with strategic placement and requires negotiation and timing.
Who Is This Game For?
Designed for families and hobby gamers aged 10 and up, the game supports 2 to 7 players and lasts about 60 minutes. Prior experience with drafting mechanics is helpful but not required.
How It Works
Between Two Castles employs mechanics like Open Drafting, Highest-Lowest Scoring, and Team-Based Game. Players simultaneously select two tiles each round and collaborate with two neighbors to build two separate castles. Scoring depends on the lower score of the two castles, encouraging balanced planning.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Matthew O'Malley and Ben Rosset, this game blends cooperative and competitive elements within a tile-drafting framework. It is related to Castles of Mad King Ludwig and features Neighbor Scope and Simultaneous Action Selection mechanics. Though it has no major awards, it is part of the popular Mad King Ludwig series.
Pro
- Combines cooperative and competitive team gameplay
- High player interaction through Neighbor Scope and Open Drafting
- Short playtime of about 60 minutes
- Part of the well-known Mad King Ludwig series
Contra
- Not playable solo (2-7 players required)
- Requires attention to two castles simultaneously
- Complexity may be challenging for younger children
Setting & Atmosphäre
Set in a post-Napoleonic world, players act as master builders designing castles for the mad King Ludwig.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Focus on clear communication with both neighbors and plan your moves to balance the growth of both castles.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
No, Between Two Castles of Mad King Ludwig is designed for 2 to 7 players and does not support solo play.
How long does a game really take?
A typical game lasts about 60 minutes, offering a brisk play experience.
What prior experience do I need?
Suitable for families and hobby gamers; basic drafting experience helps but is not necessary.
How does this compare to similar games?
It uniquely combines teamwork with competitive tile-drafting by requiring players to build two castles simultaneously with different partners.
Is this suitable for families?
Yes, it is family-friendly from age 10 with moderate complexity.
What mechanic makes it special?
The Highest-Lowest Scoring and Team-Based Game mechanics uniquely blend cooperation and competition.
Fazit
Between Two Castles of Mad King Ludwig is ideal for groups seeking cooperative and competitive gameplay within a manageable timeframe. It suits players who enjoy joint planning and negotiation.
