Ys

In Ys, you step into the shoes of a merchant prince in the legendary Breton city, built for King Gradlon's daughter. Protected by gargantuan sea-walls, Ys expands its power by dispatching dragons to seize merchant ships laden with jewels. Each turn, new ships arrive at the city's ports, carrying precious gems. Your goal is to strategically deploy your team of eleven brokers, each with varying skill levels, across the city's four districts. Each area offers distinct advantages: controlling the port grants access to special black jewels, the commercial district provides financial benefits, and the palace allows you to influence key figures. Dominating an entire district gives you the first pick of the gems from the docked ship. However, beware! The gem market is a volatile place; other players can send their brokers to manipulate jewel values, potentially devaluing your collection. The path to victory in Ys hinges on your ability to bluff and misdirect your opponents. Place your brokers strategically, even using a face-down card to sow confusion, and aim to accumulate the most gold (victory points) by the game's end. Ys blends area control, auction mechanics, commodity speculation, and significant player interaction for an engaging and challenging medieval experience, ideal for those who enjoy forward-thinking and anticipating opponents' moves.