The Red Cathedral

Devir, 999 Games, Banana Games · Board game · 2020
1–4 · best 3 Solo 80 min Weight 2.8/5
8.6 rating Ludopedia
7.7 rating BGG
8.6 rating Ludopedia
7.7 rating BGG
Our Verdict

If you enjoy a eurogame with simple rules but deep strategic choices, The Red Cathedral is a gem that will keep you engaged!

Highlights
  • Elegant rule set
  • Strategic depth
  • Clever indirect interaction
  • Quality components
  • Engaging solo mode
Keep in mind
  • Can induce analysis paralysis
  • Dice luck impacts resources
  • Fierce majority competition
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Learn How to Play Step by Step Check out our interactive rules guide and exclusive illustrated infographic.
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About the game
In The Red Cathedral, we are builders in Moscow, competing to earn the favor of Tsar Ivan the Terrible in constructing the magnificent St. Basil's Cathedral. Forget the autumn chill; the competition is fierce, and only one of us will be recognized as the city's best! This is a strategic eurogame where each player leads a construction team, but glory is individual. Gameplay revolves around three main actions: claiming a cathedral section to build, sending resources to that section and decorating it, or going to the market to gather more resources. Every choice is crucial and requires you to keep a close eye on what others are up to. The central board features an iconic rondel, where dice rolling determines movement and the resources you can collect. You choose a die, move the indicated number of spaces, and take the resources from that location. It's an elegant system that adds a touch of controlled luck to your strategy. By completing cathedral sections, you earn money and prestige points. Decorating these sections ensures even more recognition from the Tsar. The game progresses quickly, and as soon as any player completes their sixth cathedral section, the end of the game is triggered. The Red Cathedral is a super accessible game in terms of rules, easy to pick up, but with a strategic depth that will challenge even experienced players. If you love optimizing your moves and finding the best strategy each game, this one is for you!
Rules videos

In English

Rules manual
Rules manual — The Red Cathedral English · PDF
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BEST PLAYER COUNT
1 REC
2 REC
3 BEST
4 REC
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Game details

Categories

Families

Category: DIZED Tutorial Cities: Moscow (Russia) Components: Control Boards Country: Russia Digital Implementations: Tabletopia Digital Implementations: Yucata
Publisher Devir, 999 Games, Banana Games, BoardBros, GaGa Games, Hobby Game Mall
Designer Isra C., Shei S.
Artist Chema Román, Pedro Soto
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average playtime for The Red Cathedral?
A game of The Red Cathedral typically lasts between 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the number of players and their familiarity with the game.
How many players does The Red Cathedral support?
The game can be played by 1 to 4 players, offering a robust solo experience and an engaging challenge in groups.
What is the complexity of The Red Cathedral?
The Red Cathedral is considered a medium-complexity game (BGG weight of 2.81/5). The rules are easy to learn, but the strategy for optimizing your moves is quite deep.
Are the game components of good quality?
Yes, Devir Brasil is known for bringing games with high-quality components, and The Red Cathedral is no exception. The artwork by Pedro Soto and Chema Román is a particular highlight!
Is The Red Cathedral a good game for eurogame beginners?
It's a great gateway into more strategic eurogames! The rules are accessible, but it offers the depth that genre fans look for, without being overwhelming for newcomers.
Is there much player interaction?
Interaction is primarily indirect but significant. You compete for cathedral sections, resources on the rondel, and majorities, which forces you to pay attention to other players' moves to optimize your own.