The Castles of Burgundy
- Designer Stefan Feld
- Publisher alea , Ravensburger AG , Broadway Toys LTD , Giochi Uniti , Grow Jogos e Brinquedos
- Illustration Julien Delval , Harald Lieske
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Start for freeWhat to Expect
Players take on the role of aristocrats in medieval Burgundy, building their princedoms by placing settlement tiles on their player boards over five phases. Each round, dice rolls determine available actions like taking tiles, delivering goods, or using workers to modify dice. Strategic tile placement and timing are key to scoring victory points through bonuses and efficient resource use.
Who Is This Game For?
This game is aimed at enthusiasts with some experience in Eurogames and strategic dice mechanics. Suitable for players aged 12 and up, its roughly 90-minute playtime requires patience and tactical thinking, making it also a good fit for experienced families.
How It Works
Each round, players roll two dice that dictate their possible actions. Players choose two actions from taking settlement tiles, placing tiles on their hexagonal grid, delivering goods, or using workers to adjust dice values (Delayed Purchase). Tiles must be placed adjacent to existing ones (Grid Coverage). End Game Bonuses and leftover resources contribute to final scoring.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Stefan Feld, The Castles of Burgundy won the 2011 Meeples Choice Award and was 2nd place in the Deutscher Spiele Preis Best Family/Adult Game category. It uniquely blends Dice Rolling with strategic Grid Coverage and Delayed Purchase mechanics, establishing itself as a Eurogame classic with deep tactical options.
Awards
2011
2011
- 2011 Deutscher Spiele Preis Best Family/Adult Game 2nd Place — Nominated
- 2011 Jocul Anului în România Advanced — Finalist
- 2011 Meeples Choice Award — Winner
Also Available As
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The Castles of Burgundy: Special Edition 2023
All editions are grouped on this page — ratings, awards, and statistics apply to all equally.
Pro
- Combines Dice Rolling and Grid Coverage for strategic depth
- End Game Bonuses encourage long-term planning
- Suitable for 2–4 players with about 90 minutes playtime
- Winner of the 2011 Meeples Choice Award
Contra
- No solo mode available
- Dice luck can strongly influence decisions
- Learning curve may be steep for beginners
Setting & Atmosphäre
Set in medieval Burgundy, France, players act as nobles expanding their princedoms through settlement and trade.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Focus on flexible use of dice results and plan tile placements ahead of time.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
No, The Castles of Burgundy is designed for 2 to 4 players and does not include a solo mode.
How long does a game really take?
A typical game lasts about 90 minutes, classifying it as a medium-length session.
What prior experience do I need?
This is an expert-level Eurogame requiring familiarity with strategic dice and tile placement mechanics.
How does this compare to similar games?
Its unique mix of Dice Rolling, Delayed Purchase, and Grid Coverage sets it apart in the Eurogame genre.
Is this suitable for families?
Recommended for families with children aged 12 and above who have some gaming experience.
What mechanic makes it special?
The interplay of Dice Rolling with Delayed Purchase and Grid Coverage is distinctive.
Fazit
The Castles of Burgundy is recommended for players who enjoy combining dice luck with strategic building. Its complexity and playtime suit those with some gaming experience.
