The Pillars of the Earth
- Designer Michael Rieneck , Stefan Stadler
- Publisher KOSMOS , 999 Games , Albi , Cappelen Damm AS , Competo / Marektoy
- Illustration Michael Menzel , Anke Pohl , Thilo Rick
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Start for freeWhat to Expect
Players take on the role of builders in 13th century England, competing to contribute most to the construction of a cathedral. Using workers to gather resources and craftsmen to convert them into victory points, players also manage gold as currency. Each turn, three master builders offer flexible actions like recruiting workers or trading. Balancing resource production, gold income, and timing is key to scoring highest.
Who Is This Game For?
This game suits experienced players aged 12 and up who enjoy strategic economic games with historical themes. With a playtime up to 120 minutes, it requires patience and some familiarity with worker placement mechanics to fully grasp its depth.
How It Works
The Pillars of the Earth features worker placement with different worker types, event cards, and a market system. Players assign workers to gather resources or produce gold, while master builders enable various actions such as hiring workers or buying and selling goods. Turn order is determined by claiming actions, partly randomly and partly strategically. The goal is to efficiently convert resources into victory points.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Michael Rieneck and Stefan Stadler, the game won the 2007 Årets Spill Best Family Game and Deutscher Spiele Preis for Best Family/Adult Game. It belongs to Kosmos' literature series and is distinguished by its mix of worker placement, market mechanics, and events, all tied to a bestselling novel.
Awards
2007
2007
- 2007 Årets Spill Best Family Game — Winner
- 2007 Deutscher Spiele Preis Best Family/Adult Game — Winner
- 2006 Meeples Choice Award — Nominated
Pro
- Well-integrated worker placement and market mechanics
- Strong historical and literary theme
- Multiple family game awards in 2007
- Supports 2 to 4 players for variable gameplay
Contra
- Relatively long playtime up to 120 minutes
- Complexity requires patience and learning
- Not suitable for players under 12
Setting & Atmosphäre
Set in 13th century medieval England, the game centers on building a grand cathedral, inspired by Ken Follett's novel of the same name.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Focus first on understanding the roles of different workers and balancing gold income with victory points.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
The game 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 between 90 and 120 minutes, plus setup time.
What prior experience do I need?
Familiarity with worker placement and economic strategy games helps.
How does this compare to similar games?
Its combination of different worker types, market mechanics, and events makes it unique.
Is this suitable for families?
It suits families with older children (12+) who enjoy more complex games.
What mechanic makes it special?
Worker placement with varied worker types and the turn order claim action stand out.
Fazit
The Pillars of the Earth is recommended for players who appreciate complex economic games set in historical contexts and are ready for a longer, strategic session.
