The Pillars of the Earth*

The Pillars of the Earth, inspired by Ken Follett's bestselling novel, is a strategy board game set in the early 13th century, centered around the construction of a grand cathedral in England. This game, part of the Kosmos line of literature-based games, challenges players to contribute to the cathedral's construction while vying for victory points.

Key Features

• Theme: Based on a historical novel, it immerses players in the process of building a cathedral in medieval England.
• Gameplay: Players use workers to gather resources and craftsmen to convert these resources into victory points.
• Economic Element: Players manage gold, the game’s currency, to fund their activities.

Game Mechanics

• Resource Management: Efficiently use workers to produce raw materials and craftsmen to turn these materials into points.
• Master Builders: Each turn, players get three master builders to perform various tasks, from recruiting more workers to obtaining victory points.
• Gold Management: Balancing the acquisition of gold to fund purchases and earning victory points is crucial.
• Strategic Choices: Deciding on early master builder actions requires gold, adding a strategic layer to resource management.

Conclusion

The Pillars of the Earth offers a rich blend of strategic resource management and economic planning, appealing to players who enjoy historical themes and deep strategic gameplay. Balancing gold management with the pursuit of victory points creates engaging decisions every turn. The game's setting, inspired by Follett’s novel, provides a unique and immersive experience, making it a standout choice for fans of literature-based and strategy games alike.