citadels card game review

Citadels Card Game Review: A Simple, Fun Strategy Game

Now, let me tell ya, I ain’t no expert or nothing, but I’ve played me a good many card games in my day. And this Citadels card game? Well, I reckon it’s one of them that can keep ya on your toes and make ya think. If you’re into games that make you build stuff, plan ahead, and try to outsmart your friends, then this here game might just be for ya. So, let me give ya the rundown in my own simple way, so ya don’t have to go lookin’ at all them fancy words other folks use.

First thing’s first, Citadels is a card game that’s all about buildin’ a city. Yep, you heard me right, you’re gonna be building a whole city. And you do that by playin’ these cards that represent different districts in your city. Some are easy to build, while others cost ya more gold, but the point is, you gotta build ‘em up before your opponents do. Each round, you pick a character, and each character got its own special ability. It’s like pickin’ a role in the game, and each one can help you in different ways. So, ya gotta think real hard about which one to choose.

How it Works

Now, don’t get confused by all them rules, it ain’t that hard. Every round starts off with ya pickin’ a character. Ya got a bunch of them, like the king, the thief, the assassin, the architect, and a few others. These characters got different powers, and you gotta pick the one that best suits the situation at hand. For example, if ya pick the assassin, you can knock off another player’s character for the round, and if you’re the thief, you can steal some gold from another player. I reckon that’s pretty sneaky, don’t ya think?

Once everyone’s picked their characters, you go on to the next phase where ya play your cards. The cards represent different buildings, like markets, churches, or even castles. Some buildings are real cheap, and some cost a heap of gold. But each building you play gives ya points, and the goal of the game is to get the most points by the time the city’s finished. So, ya gotta balance between gettin’ a good amount of buildings down and makin’ sure you got enough gold to do it. It ain’t all about speed, ya gotta be smart with what cards ya play.

What Makes Citadels Special?

Now, what I like about Citadels is that it’s a mix of strategy and luck. Ya can’t just rely on luck to win, but ya sure need it sometimes! You see, every player’s tryin’ to build their own city, but also stoppin’ everyone else from doin’ the same. It’s like a race, but also a game of outwittin’ your friends. You can steal from them, knock ’em out, or even mess with their plans. It’s like a big ol’ game of cat and mouse, and you gotta be quick on your feet.

But the best part, in my opinion, is how it changes every time you play. Ya can never quite predict what’s gonna happen, and that keeps things excitin’. Each time ya play, you might pick different characters, build different buildings, and the game will feel a little different. And the more ya play, the more ya get the hang of how things work. It’s real easy to learn, but tough to master.

How Many Folks Should Play?

I reckon the game works best when you got about four folks playin’. That’s just the right number for havin’ a good time without it draggin’ on too long. It can handle anywhere from 2 to 8 players, but four seems to be the sweet spot. Ya get just the right amount of action goin’ on without too many people makin’ things too complicated.

Final Thoughts

If you’re lookin’ for a fun, strategy-based card game that don’t take too long to learn, Citadels is a good choice. It’s simple enough for the young ones to pick up, but there’s plenty of strategy involved for the grown folks to enjoy. And like I said, it’s real easy to pick up, but harder than it looks to win. So, give it a try, and see if ya can build the best city before your friends do!