HUANG

PHALANX · Board game · 2024
7.0 Ludopedia 7.9 BGG 2–4 · best 4 90 min Weight 3.0/5
Buy · from US$ 39.33
7.0 rating Ludopedia
7.9 rating BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

If you enjoy strategy games with a historical theme and clever mechanics, HUANG is a sure bet! It's a game that challenges you to think ahead, with a good dose of interaction and twists.

Highlights
  • Engaging area control
  • Elegant hand management
  • Surprising hidden scoring
  • Accessible strategic depth
Keep in mind
  • Can have low direct interaction
  • Initial learning curve
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Get ready to command a kingdom in ancient China with the goal of unifying the country under your dynasty! In HUANG, you dive into the turbulent Warring States period, an era of intense conflicts between seven rival states. The game puts you in control of one of these states, where strategy is key to expansion and dominance.

Each player manages five types of leaders: Governor, Soldier, Farmer, Trader, and Artisan. Clever placement of these leaders and their respective tiles on the hexagonal board is crucial. With them, you will build pagodas to accumulate points, initiate or avoid strategic wars, and even instigate peasant revolts to destabilize your opponents. Hand management is vital, as the cards you play determine your actions and influence the course of the game.

HUANG elegantly combines mechanics like area control, tile placement, and set collection. The objective is to accumulate victory points, many of which are hidden until the end, adding a layer of suspense and requiring you to pay close attention to other players' actions. The final scoring can favor both those who had the most and those who had the least in certain categories, adding another tactical twist.

With a playtime of around 90 minutes and accessible rules that allow for quick learning, HUANG stands out for its strategic depth and addictive gameplay. It's a game that rewards careful planning and adaptation to opponents' maneuvers, ideal for those seeking a civilization and territory-building experience with a historical touch and an intriguing scoring system. Prepare for battles of influence and to see who can forge the most powerful empire!

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

8 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–4 players
2 REC
3 REC
4 BEST

Soundtrack

Ambience suggested by Melodice

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Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Animals: Goats Animals: Rabbits / Hares Animals: Rats Animals: Tigers Components: Map (Regional scale) Country: China Crowdfunding: Gamefound Digital Implementations: TableTop Simulator Mod (TTS) Digital Implementations: Tabletopia Game: Tigris & Euphrates History: Warring States Period of China Rivers: Yangtze Rivers: Yellow Theme: Anthropomorphic Animals
Publisher PHALANX
Designer Reiner Knizia
Artist Bartek Jędrzejewski

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

2,701owners
998wishlist
158want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

7 questions
What is the average playtime for HUANG?
A game of HUANG typically lasts around 90 minutes, which is quite good for a game with this level of strategic depth.
How many players can play HUANG?
HUANG is designed for 2 to 4 players, offering a solid experience across different player counts.
Is HUANG a difficult game to learn?
No, despite its strategic depth, HUANG's rules are considered elegant and relatively easy to teach and learn, allowing you to start playing quickly.
What is the main theme of HUANG?
The game is set in ancient China during the Warring States period, where players lead rival states aiming to unify the country.
What kind of mechanics does HUANG use?
HUANG combines area control, hand management, tile placement on a hexagonal board, set collection, and hidden victory points.
Who is HUANG most recommended for?
It's ideal for players who appreciate civilization and territory-building games with a historical touch, and who enjoy abstract strategy and making important tactical decisions.
Does HUANG have a lot of player interaction?
Interaction in HUANG is more indirect, focusing on competition for areas and influence, and reacting to opponents' actions, rather than constant direct conflict.

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