The White Castle - Board Game Review - Not Even 10 Turns!

[@laurencesingh3948]

You have honestly become my go-to reviewer. I like how balanced and unbiased your reviews are. You don't give into the hype but you also recognize a game's merits where due. That being said...this is my game of the year for 2023. I expected to enjoy it but have just been blown away by it. I've played it eight times - seven solo and once 4P. After the 4P game, one player bought the game the next day and another requested it as his game choice for our next game day. Of my solo plays, I've won five of the seven (yes, I doublechecked to make sure I was playing correctly). I've won four times on easy and once on medium. Haven't tried hard yet. This is on my 10X10 list for next year so I will do that at some point. I love this game. I think the best strategy is to balance the gardeners, courtiers, and warriors. I would say you want 3-4 of each out by game end for optimal scoring generally speaking. The game isn't perfect - especially solo. The AI's score is random depending on the card pulls and isn't affected as much as you are by the initial setup - which determines your score ceiling. But I generally find there are at least ways to be competitive and each scoring opportunity - passage of time track, gardens, castle, training yard, and lantern bonuses all matter. It's crunchy, combo-y euro goodness in the form of an ever shifting efficiency puzzle - 10/10 for me.

[@notsaved]

agree, insanely cool and deep design

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Many many thanks!!! 😁👍🏽 Just wished it didn't feel the same each game though. Usually doing the same stuff with the meeples, mainly court and warriors, so only the cards change things up a little (dice tile placement has no effect, red, white or black, pick one)

[@jarredbultema2164]

Agreed, this is typically where I go to actually determine if I want to buy a game. While I love other channels for the large volume of coverage, I never feel confident on game purchases based on other reviews. But if it passes the Broken Meeple test, then it might be worth trying.

[@notsaved]

@@TheBrokenMeeple dice tile placement adds randomness because up two actions on the same card can be triggered by the same dice color, changing which dice are more valuable in each game

[@laurencesingh3948]

@@TheBrokenMeeple It really is just subjective but I haven't felt any samey-ness in my plays. Each play feels fresh and unique and when I finish playing I immediately want to go again. While the main strategy is always the same (get as many meeples on the board as you can) how you do that is always changing. The tactical play of responding to the dice rolls each round, the dice tile layout, the training yard actions, and the garden actions keep it fresh for me. Not to mention the castle cards dictating available actions and resources from one turn to the next. Each layout is a unique puzzle and challenges my optimization skills. And I love that.

[@have_studs_will_travel2809]

one of the reasons I watch your reviews, that is different from the majority, is that you include a reveiw of the rulebook. thank you!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Glad it was helpful! I can't believe others don't talk about it more. A terrible rulebook can break a game for me.

[@junyanliu3621]

i love your honest review ! It is hard to find these day with all the promotion and paid reviews.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Know what you mean! Glad I can be separate from the status quo!!

[@shatnershairpiece]

I wavered on this one back-and-forth, but I decided not to get it based on the repetitive nature of the strategies and the nine turn limit. Thanks for confirming. More money saved!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Glad it helped!

[@FamilyMcManus]

Appreciate your honest review and saving me some money and time.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Always! That's how I rolll!

[@Viljanne]

Great video! And I agree that the bot is really punishing indeed. You should try alternative bot by Xavi Bordes Aymerich (the guy form 3 Ring Circus and Bitoku solo modes) on BGG, a much balanced experience. It’s a fan version but created by a pro, and it’s quite clear after a couple of games on both easy and normal. 😅

[@mattp4719]

Wicked review, will give it a shot for sure and see how it holds up.. 🍻

[@steeveman]

I love your honesty! You are becoming my go to reviewer. I’ve played this once at BGG con and totally agree with your review. I have not played it enough to explore all the different strategies, but the game is so short that I’m not sure there is that much to explore. Keep up the great content!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Many thanks!!

[@FedouBC]

Even though I don't share your taste in board games, I really respect your opinion and always watch your reviews, but I have to say, the "regardelss of consequences" part feels idk, a little self pandering? because we know you're honest and we expect honesty, so why you have to say it? do I have to expect otherwise from other reviewers? idk, feels a little extra. Other than that, keep the great work!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Ha ha, well it's a recycled clip so it's not extra work each time 😅 but it needs to be here for those new to the channel who don't know what I'm about.

[@kpit1864]

Great review. My only criticism is there were times I couldn't tell if you were saying three or free. I understand if it's a speech impediment and it's not a huge deal. Like I said, that was my only thing to note. Great review.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Yeah I've had speech impediment issues since childhood.

[@tombeullens4914]

Totally agree on this one. Think like you said that the price point is the winner on this one... Decent game, very very good priced

[@jamescartwright1150]

Excellent review Luke. I definitely think the solo needed more playtesting. On BGG one of the suggestions to make the solo less punishing is to not let the Ai have double turns. I've used this and it does seem to give you a fighting chance at beating it.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Totally agree but no brownie points for publisher for having the users fix their busted mode.

[@landscaperben]

I've played this game three times in solo mode. I've won nearly twice and lost once. I've won once with a score of 72 to 44. The other time i nearly won was when i had a close loss, by one point. This game is phenomenal.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

You 100% sure all the rules are correct because that win rate puts you in a serious minority.

[@JonoNZBoardGamer]

Great review! It helped curb my FOMO on this

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Glad it helped!

[@rickgoodman8911]

10/10 for this review. 6/10 for this game.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

I'd say that's fair ratings! ;-)

[@peterevensen]

I really like Red Cathedral. I knew I would like it after watching a review or two. White Castle has never really appealed. Your review confirms this game isn’t for me.

[@thegamesninja3119]

The automata in the game is like it was designed by the designers after they spent so much time with it, that they needed a challenge. The automata gets like twice the turns and obscene scoring. The solution to that seems to be to create an easier difficulty setting where the automata gets one action per turn. There is also a botless solo variant I came up with. With the tweaks, it is good enough. They just made the in the box automata too difficult.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Yeah they did and it ruins it. People have said they win often but I'm convinced they aren't playing it right as nobody has said "oh its easy".

[@thegamesninja3119]

@TheBrokenMeeple nerfing the automata doesn't ruin it for me. It still works and I think my botless solo mode is interesting enough. Jn the botless version, players get 4 turns er season. The White Castle is what it is. It isn't just another Euro. What it is will either appeal to people or it won't.

[@rks6276]

thanks for the honest review

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Always! That's how I rolll!

[@deemich1815]

Nice balanced review Luke! I've been playing this solo latley and been quite enjoying it, more than I thought I would based on a lot of what people say! Though I can see your points, especially regarding the time track. Never seems worth it! However, regarding the bot getting to do things for free, don't many, even very well-designed bots do things for free? Most Garphill bots just get to do things regardless of a cost, and they are outstanding as I know you like their solo modes too. Curious about your thoughts on thieving bots 😆

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Usually it's "doesn't use certain resources" and even then what they gain doesn't feel overpowered. White Castle takes a lot of effort to achieve anything in the game so just to go "here's a freebie" is a bit much.

[@tonybowers9490]

I enjoy it a lot as a solo game.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

For me, It's too punishing as a solo game and the bot is just a random "i get to do everything you can't" fest.

[@tonybowers9490]

After a few plays I was able to consistently win. The aspect I enjoy the most - each game is different, what with the dice, cards, and card placement. Also, it takes up little space (for play and storage) and is quick and easy to set up, take down. Yes, some begin/end game moves are somewhat the same, but that's typical for many games. I've seen the game on some 2023 Top Ten lists.@@TheBrokenMeeple

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

@@tonybowers9490 if you are consistently winning given how insane the difficulty, that leads to believe the game can be somehow solved. (also doesn't constantly winning get boring?) It won't make my top ten at a 7 I don't think, others are forgiving of downtime and variety. The variety is not as great as you say. The cards are the main aspect though most are similar to others, their placement is irrelevant though as are the dice symbols. Makes no difference if you can activate this action with a white or a red, it's not something that affects the game play. Takes up little space, I'd pay for a bigger box to not have the horrible Tetris pack away nightmare to figure out every time. 😜

[@gadgetgeekgirl]

Bought this due to the sweet price point and so many great reviews. It's in the to be sold pile now. Just too short and you never really get going even if you have a good game. It just feels like they forgot the second half of a game to me.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Yeah I've long since sold mine.

[@axj763]

The catchup mechanism is the turn order mechanism and first draft. Agree that the heron track is irrelevant for points. Just to note you got the gain / pay money rule the wrong way round

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Turn order alone isn't enough though. If your engine has not got started, going first won't speed it up alone.

[@mikaeki5245]

I'm curious, can other non-YT Premium users shrink Luke's videos into a miniplayer (so that the video is on a separate mini-window and you can use the phone normally)? Since this is only possible on Broken Meeple vids for me!?! A great review again! Pretty much same thoughts after one 4p game. I think it might be too cut-throat as 2p, since hatedrafting regarding the gardeners is even more 'crucial'. Played now Red Cathedral, Bamboo and WC from Devir, and while they're all good, there's just some polish (especially in 2p) lacking from them.

[@notsaved]

yes I can and I don't know why

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

I got no clue 😅

[@kevinosullivan3861]

Yeah, just on his videos, very weird.

[@jamesbarnes9097]

If you can stack the dice 1 high, how would a 4 player game be any tighter than a 2 player game? Seems like a 3 player game would he be a bit more loose. Just a thought. I might be missing something.

[@kaworusergio]

I think the game needs a fourth or even fifth round. I just can't develop any strategy even if I focus on it. When you play Bora Bora you can reach the top level of any strategy and, in the meantime fight for be the first player. White castle doesn't allow players to materialize the strategies that offers even if you focus on do it.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

When I play Bora I lose half my hair, that game is so restrictive and punishing.

[@goolowjon]

We agree. We add two rounds.

[@Drumox]

Apparently Reddit thinks you're too harsh and contrary (specifically with DT) in your reviews, but you gave this a 7 when they were mostly at 8s. I have no desire to play this game and I'm glad you go into the exact reasons to like or dislike the game

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Reddit is a cess pool of comments. Wouldn't surprise me if people bad mouthed me there. And it's shocking as well, you give a game a seal of Endorsement and that's not good enough for fanboys. At the end of the day, as of now, 248 people like this video, only 2 dislike it. Probably one of those 2 dislikes going mad on Reddit. I think with a 99.2% like ratio, most people are perfectly happy with the Seal of Endorsement I gave the game. It's just those people who think it's GOTY for some odd reason.

[@Daley63]

Have you done a review of Grand Austria Hotel? I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts. Was given the choice recently to play White Castle or GAH and chose GAH. Thank goodness! I would have sucked at White Castle.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

If I did it was years ago on the channel. Gah was meh for me, an OK game but no theme and the snake draft mechanic means excessive downtime.

[@Daley63]

@TheBrokenMeeple Ah! We ignored the snake draft mechanic and just took turns, changing first player every round.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

That would help!

[@mikolajwitkowski8093]

Surprised you didn't mention no component list in the rulebook nor rules for promo tiles.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Can't mention everything 😅 Also most rulebooks don't include promo rules so that's nothing new, I don't tend to hunt down promos anyway.

[@doritosp1853]

Havent played this game yet but kinda want to find a game that give you thst feel of comboish game play in this game too. any suggestion??

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Earth perhaps?

[@keith2570]

GOTY? Try Galileo Project. That has GOTY vibes.

[@george_castle]

"Water under the bridge" 😂😂 ....Red Cathedral continues to one of my favorites. It will be hard for them to top that one (imo).