7.9
rating
Ludopedia
7.4
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
If you enjoy card games with an Egyptian theme and a dash of player interaction, Valley of the Kings: Premium Edition is a great pick! The pyramid mechanic and the decision to entomb or use cards add a cool strategic layer.
Highlights
- Addictive deck-building
- Well-integrated Egyptian theme
- Complete Premium edition
- Great for 2-4 players
Keep in mind
- Crucial scoring decisions
- Interaction can be mean
- High language dependency
Rules manual not indexed yet
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Hey everyone! Ready for a trip back in time to Ancient Egypt? In Valley of the Kings: Premium Edition, you step into the sandals of Egyptian nobles preparing for the afterlife. Your goal? To fill your tomb with the finest treasures – food, canopic jars, statues, amulets, and more – to impress the gods and secure a comfortable existence in the next world.
The game's core mechanic revolves around a pyramid of cards. You purchase cards from the base, and as they're bought, the pyramid 'crumbles,' bringing new cards down to the base for purchase. It's a constant cycle of acquisition and strategic planning! But here's the catch: only the cards you successfully remove from your deck and 'entomb' actually score points. If you keep using powerful card effects and forget to entomb them, you might lose out on a ton of precious points. It's a delicate balance between using resources and securing your final score.
The Premium Edition is the ultimate package! It bundles all the cards from the previous three games (Valley of the Kings, Afterlife, and Last Rites), adds components for up to 6 players (yep, more friends can join the fun!), includes rules for solo play for those who like a challenge on their own, and introduces exclusive Pharaoh cards with unique abilities that shake up the gameplay. Featuring over 300 tarot-sized cards, the visual presentation is top-notch. It's a deck-building and set-collection game with that spicy 'take that' element to spice up the competition. Perfect for anyone who enjoys strategy with a fascinating historical theme.
The game's core mechanic revolves around a pyramid of cards. You purchase cards from the base, and as they're bought, the pyramid 'crumbles,' bringing new cards down to the base for purchase. It's a constant cycle of acquisition and strategic planning! But here's the catch: only the cards you successfully remove from your deck and 'entomb' actually score points. If you keep using powerful card effects and forget to entomb them, you might lose out on a ton of precious points. It's a delicate balance between using resources and securing your final score.
The Premium Edition is the ultimate package! It bundles all the cards from the previous three games (Valley of the Kings, Afterlife, and Last Rites), adds components for up to 6 players (yep, more friends can join the fun!), includes rules for solo play for those who like a challenge on their own, and introduces exclusive Pharaoh cards with unique abilities that shake up the gameplay. Featuring over 300 tarot-sized cards, the visual presentation is top-notch. It's a deck-building and set-collection game with that spicy 'take that' element to spice up the competition. Perfect for anyone who enjoys strategy with a fascinating historical theme.
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Best player count
BGG community vote
1
REC
2
BEST
3
BEST
4
REC
5
OK
6
OK
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Alderac Entertainment Group
Designer
Tom Cleaver
Artist
Banu Andaru
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
3,093owners
625wishlist
114want to play
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
How many players can participate?
The game supports 1 to 6 players, but it shines best with 2 to 4 participants.
What is the average playtime?
A game typically lasts between 45 and 60 minutes, depending on the players' experience.
Is this game difficult to learn?
The complexity is moderate (2.36/5 weight on BGG). The basic rules are straightforward, but mastering the strategies takes some time.
What comes in the Premium Edition box?
It includes all the cards from the previous three expansions, components for 5-6 players, solo rules, dividers, and new Pharaoh cards. That's over 300 tarot-sized cards!
Do I need to be able to read to play?
Yes, the game has a considerable language dependency, with text on the cards that is essential for understanding effects and scoring.
Who is this game recommended for?
It's ideal for those who enjoy card games with deck-building, set collection, and a well-developed historical theme. It also appeals to those who like a bit of direct player interaction (take that).
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