This game is excellent. Randomizing the elements attributes via the app is an excellent idea and executed very well with the app.
This is a good sequel to Kingdom of Solomon. It has cards that allow for extra worker placement spots. It increases the player count from 2-4 to 1-5. The components are larger. It doesn't have cubes to build the temple but with the variable scoring tiles it gives a good alternate path for points. Having the goal cards slide down for more points like Small World is a nice incentivizing feature. The game feels maybe too quick if you are expecting a deeper strategic game like Concordia but there can be more trading in this game to allow for more to be accomplished on a players turn. Any Christian gamer should consider this one.
Finally decided to try this game, and I love it!
I was initially put off by the bland look of the game - just cards, tiles with words on them, plain wooden meeples, and not a lot of graphics. However, the components (bland as they may appear), are top quality, and after upgrading the coins and getting some stickers for the meeples, it’s much more aesthetically satisfying.
The gameplay is simple, but the decisions are tough - learning to balance out getting money to buy more tiles, increasing your prestige, and acquiring more prestigious guests. The theme comes through brilliantly during play, it really does feel somewhat like you’re managing a large household, delegating which servants to use and when.
If you’re a fan of Victorian era life and shows like Upstairs Downstairs and Downton Abbey, this game really hits home!
Needed a new type of sleeves after Fantasy Flight stopped making theirs. I believe these are the same and work just as well.