Based on the novel by Ken Follett a board game was developed, which gives a very realistic feel. Even the design of the game plan, and detailed maps, the desire to know the game awakened. It is not necessary to have read the book before. To those who know the book but will run some familiar characters on the road.

The instructions of the game seems quite complex, however, is right at the beginning indicated that we work through the tutorial step by step, (depending on the phase of the game). The system is to look through quickly and we internalized the steps quickly. It is helpful in this context that the moves are rough on a card that each player and the game plan itself speaks volumes.

You have six rounds of play time to help in building the cathedral. Each round consists of four phases. You can use divide by skillful artisans and workers who have to procure enough raw materials (wood, gravel and stone), at the end of the round grab by using the construction of the Cathedral of victory points.

At the beginning of the game you get three craftsmen and 12 workers set aside.

In the first phase, you can go your workers using raw materials from an open stack generate or acquire either craftsmen. The resources you need with workers, craftsmen pay with gold. These raw materials can be the construction of the Cathedral, according to the capacities of the artisans are exchanged in victory points.

In the second phase of the game you can use your three builders. All builders are drawn by the first player from a bag. Its architect is pulled, now has the choice whether it should be used. But one must pay 7 gold. Does he, the architect of an intended field is set and can be later set free the remaining places. Drawn below each builder will be cheaper for a gold. The more expensive the Builder, the greater advantage, however, the selection of fields that are available to him. The advantage of fields can only hold a limited number of builders. Only by early contact the builder you can add additional workers tap or get better craftsmen. The retailer of us are not too tight, because the associated market place is of course also available.

This is followed by the third phase. Gradually, you can now gain the benefits and resources from the set phases. Click to enter and unexpected events that are triggered by event cards. You can be negative than positive. Also taxes are due. Against both of you can set up by appropriately protect the builder. So be on guard.

In the final phase, you may use up part of the craftsmen and raw materials in the construction of the cathedral. Everyone now expects its raw materials, according to skills of its craftsmen, in victory points and puts the stone in front of victory accordingly.

Subsequently, part of the cathedral will be on the board, the number of rounds symbolically represent and embody the cathedrals of the novel.

Then it goes into the second round, where other maps are in place and the workmen are getting better as the game progresses.

The game footage is very attractively designed and out of a usual high-quality material. Very pleasant, is that the process is internalized rapidly. However, it is not boring, because usually up to the last rating is not obvious who will emerge as the winner. The game is worthwhile for the casual player. Tactics and strategy are also an asset. The happiness component is fortunately not as high.

For the game, there are now two extensions. A directly from Sky Publishing called "The Pillars of the Earth - Expansion" and a little out of the game box.

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