Customer Reviews

Rio Grande Games Carcassonne - The Castle

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My family got this game for Christmas several years ago, and we're hooked! Our game board has been in constant use since then. The first time through is slow as you figure out the rules and strategies, but after that, it's a blast. A combination of both skill and luck, Castle is a different game each time you play it (based on how the tiles are drawn) and the perfect competition for two players. My dad and I have Castle tournaments when I visit my parents, and it can be anyone's game! Highly recommended for people who enjoy other two player games like chess, checkers, backgammon, and cribbage.

I'm not a gamer, but was looking for a good two player game for my wife and I to play together. This game is excellent, it's strategy, but not so much strategy that you are spending 30 minutes each turn thinking about what the best move to make is. Learning the game is fairly simple, we just needed to read through the rules once, played a practice game to get a feel for the strategy, and from there I think we felt pretty good about understanding rules and how to employ some different strategies. First day we started playing I think we played 7 games.

Likes:
Gameplay is fun (not overly difficult, feels like fun not like work)
Playing time is 30-45 mins (we'll play after dinner on a work night)
Multiple types of strategies will work and have the potential to win
2-player game (this game is ONLY a two player game, see Carcassonne for the muli-player version, it's hard to find a good game that plays optimally with just two people)
Small table footprint (we can play on the coffee table from the couch rather than at the dinning room table)
Price (this is a GREAT deal for the number of hours we enjoyed it in the FIRST DAY ALONE)


Dislikes:
Wish the pieces fit more snuggly in the box, they tend to rattle around a bit, a fabric bag to hold the pieces would be very nice, but for the price of the game, I'm happy to come up with a solution to this problem on my own.

I own "The Castle" and "Hunters and Gatherers." My wife and I enjoy this game, but have determined that the "bonus" wall tiles frequently make the game quite lopsided. We found that Hunters and Gatherers is our preferred game. It is not only fun for two, but can also accommodate up to five.

Many people seem to think that some games are best played by two people. This allows you to get face to face with a competitor and leave little chance of blame to a third party for your defeat. It's a risky proposition, and a lot of people also can't play games of this type for that very reason. It's all on you. Or you can always blame it on luck.

Carcassonne: The Castle, let's you and a buddy (or enemy) play on a different setting, with a few changes to the classic Carcassonne formula to mix it up. Among the important changes is a more defined playing space, with the castle walls acting as a pool where you can lay your tiles. Also, there are specific points where tiles must be placed to begin construction of walls or buildings. Once placed, you have more room to work with, but it clearly demands a different approach to the standard game.

There are also some bonus pieces that can be grabbed by scoring a specific number of points. These earn bonuses that come into play during the game or at the end of it. These can impact the game by a considerable ammount, so I suggest you try them out to determine if you want to use them or not. This goes back to my luck comment made at the beginning. Then again, the draw of the tiles is also random, so if you still want to say it's all about luck, go ahead.

I've enjoyed this game. If gives a few different choices to score with, is a bit quicker than the standard game with it's many expansions and can be a good way to get someone that is very competitive into games.

Ok, first let me say as a stand alone game, I would rate this one is just ok. It's sort of fun and replayable, and its fairly easy to pick up and play. The problem I have with it is I felt it was a waste of money. Buy the original Carcissonne. It is playable with two people, just fine, but you can also bump it up to 5 people to play in groups. The castle game doesn't allow more than two people, and it is less fun than the original. It feels more constrained with less options and creativity in the construction of your city. I bought this version to play with my wife because it was supposed to be better for 2 players than the original, but it just wasn't. It sets on the shelf while the original is always popular choice on game night. Buy the original, you'll get more for your money.

I love this game because it is for 2 players only. Many game can be played with 2 players or more, but are more fun with more people. I can play this with one other friend I am hanging out with or with my husband. It is great fun, easy to play, but different everytime you play it. It is kind of like a fun puzzle, while getting points. I really enjoy playing it.

Wonderful two-person game, does not take too long, excellent strategy possibility. Shipping was prompt, price good.

This is the best 2 player game my wife and I have ever played. We truly enjoy competing against each other in this wonderful game. You won't regret this purchase.

This is a great game to play, but it takes a few times to really figure out how to play and count out all the points. Once you figure it out though, it's a lot of fun.

This strategic 2-player game is absolutely wonderful! I have played it many times with several different opponents. It perfectly balances skill and luck so that each game is new and exciting. I highly recommend it!