At the Gates of Loyang

Hall Games, Tasty Minstrel Games, 999 Games · Board game · 2009
7.8 Ludopedia 7.3 BGG 1–4 · best 2 Solo 60–120 min Weight 3.1/5
Buy · from US$ 39.99
7.8 rating Ludopedia
7.3 rating BGG

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Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

If you enjoy a good economic challenge with lots of optimization and little luck, 'At the Gates of Loyang' is a perfect fit. It's a game that rewards you for every well-thought-out decision!

Highlights
  • High optimization
  • Low luck
  • Contract fulfillment
  • Excellent solo mode
  • Addictive gameplay loop
Keep in mind
  • Can feel repetitive
  • Initial learning curve
  • Theme can be dry
Learn How to Play Step by Step Check out our complete step-by-step rules guide.
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About the game

What you do in a play session

In 'At the Gates of Loyang', you step into the shoes of a shrewd merchant, diving into Loyang's vibrant market to cultivate and sell fresh produce to your customers. The game is a race to accumulate wealth, where efficient management of your crops and satisfying demand are the keys to success.

Each round, you receive new opportunities in the form of cards. An ingenious bidding/drafting mechanism ensures you always have interesting options: you choose one card from your initial hand, and the other goes into a public offer where all players can contend for it. Additionally, a new free field is added to your farm each round, expanding your agricultural possibilities.

To plant, simply place one type of good on an empty field, and it fills completely with that product. Harvesting is automatic: one unit from each field is collected every round. With your customer, helper, and other object cards, you have complete freedom to perform as many actions as you wish, limited only by the resources you possess. Each turn, the money you earn can be invested in a scoring track, and here's the golden tip: money invested earlier is worth more! The game continues for a predetermined number of rounds, and the most prosperous merchant, the one furthest along the scoring track, will be the grand winner. It's a game that challenges you to plan, negotiate, and optimize every move to become the magnate of Loyang.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

10 videos

Rules manual

Official PDF file

Rules manual — At the Gates of Loyang English · PDF
Download Manual

Best player count

BGG community vote

1–4 players
1 REC
2 BEST
3 REC
4 OK

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Categories

Families

Country: China Crowdfunding: Wspieram Digital Implementations: VASSAL Digital Implementations: Yucata Misc: LongPack Games Occupation: Farmer
Publisher Hall Games, Tasty Minstrel Games, 999 Games, Fullcap Games, Hobby Japan, Intrafin Games
Designer Uwe Rosenberg
Artist Klemens Franz, Scott Hartman

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

15,156owners
3,241wishlist
677want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
What is the average playtime for At the Gates of Loyang?
A game typically takes between 60 and 120 minutes, depending on the number of players and everyone's familiarity with the rules. Plan for about two hours for your first playthrough!
How many players can play?
The game is designed for 1 to 4 players. Yes, it has a highly praised solo mode, which is great for practicing or playing anytime!
What is the complexity level of the game?
It's considered a medium-heavy complexity game (BGG weight 3.11/5). It's not a 'filler,' but also not a 'heavy euro.' It requires planning and optimization, but the rules become quite intuitive after a few rounds.
Does At the Gates of Loyang have much player interaction?
Interaction is indirect. You compete for cards in the auction/draft and observe what others need to plan your sales, but there are no direct attacks or intense negotiations. It's more of a 'multiplayer solitaire' focused on personal optimization.
Are the components language-dependent?
Yes, there is moderate language dependence on the customer and helper cards. A translated reference sheet or card stickers can be helpful for those who are not fluent in English.
Who is At the Gates of Loyang recommended for?
It's perfect for those who love resource optimization games, with little luck and lots of strategy. Fans of Uwe Rosenberg (the designer) and economic euros who enjoy a planning challenge will love it! If you're looking for a game with a lot of direct interaction or luck, it might not be the best choice.

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