The City of Kings

The City of Games · Board game · 2018
1–4 · best 1 Solo 45–180 min Weight 3.2/5
8.4 rating Ludopedia
7.4 rating BGG
Buy
8.4 rating Ludopedia
7.4 rating BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

If you enjoy a cooperative challenge with lots of customization and a rich fantasy world, The City of Kings is for you! The variety of scenarios and the complexity of battles guarantee hours of strategic fun.

Highlights
  • Exciting exploration and discovery
  • Unique and customizable heroes
  • Tactical combat without luck
  • High replayability with scenarios
Keep in mind
  • Requires significant planning
  • Steep initial learning curve
  • High language dependency
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About the game

What you do in a play session

In The City of Kings, you and your friends embark on a cooperative adventure in a post-apocalyptic fantasy world, where the last known city serves as a refuge against the threats that have decimated life. The mission is clear: explore the ruins, gather essential resources, and face dangerous creatures to uncover the secrets of a world on the brink of extinction. Each player takes on the role of a unique hero, with customizable skills and attributes, allowing for specialization in combat, support, or management. Beyond your hero, coordinating your workers is crucial for gathering materials, which will be traded for powerful items and used to build structures that grant valuable bonuses. Exploration unfolds across a modular board, where each flipped tile reveals new challenges, resources, side quests, and dangers. The game shines in its strategic complexity, featuring a tactical, dice-less combat system where damage is persistent and character customization is key to success. With over 10 million possible enemy combinations, each battle is a unique puzzle that demands cooperation and planning to overcome obstacles and prepare for the final confrontation in Azure Rise. It's an immersive experience blending RPG, exploration, and strategy, ideal for those seeking a deep cooperative challenge with high replayability.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

12 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

1–4 players
1 BEST
2 BEST
3 REC
4 REC

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Game: The City of Kings Players: Games with Solitaire Rules Theme: City
Publisher The City of Games
Designer Frank West
Artist Miguel Da Silva

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

7 questions
What is the average playtime?
A game can vary quite a bit, but expect something between 1.5 and 3 hours, depending on the player count and the chosen scenario.
Is this game difficult to learn?
It does have an initial learning curve. The rules might seem complex at first, but once you get the hang of it, the strategy flows well. It's worth investing a little time in the rulebook!
Does it play well at all player counts?
Yes! It's designed to be cooperative, so it works well solo as well as with 2, 3, or 4 players. The dynamic changes a bit, but the fun remains.
Does it require a lot of table space?
We recommend a generous table size, as the modular board, player components, and game elements can take up a good amount of space, especially during exploration.
Are the components good quality?
Generally, the components are well-praised for their quality and art, contributing to immersion in the game's story and world.
Can I play this game solo?
Absolutely! The City of Kings has dedicated rules for solo mode, allowing you to enjoy the full cooperative experience against the game.
Is there a lot of language dependency?
Yes, the game has a significant amount of text on cards and components. Good knowledge of English or a translated component set is recommended to fully enjoy it.

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