Orléans stands as a shining gem in the world of strategy board gaming. Designed by Reiner Stockhausen and published by Tasty Minstrel Games, Orléans takes players on a captivating journey to medieval France, combining elements of bag-building, resource management, and strategic planning. Setting the Scene Orléans transports players to the heart of medieval France during the prosperous times of the 15th century. In this game, each player represents a medieval lord who strives to expand their influence, trade goods, and develop their lands in the region of Orléans. The game board depicts a map of this region, divided into various locations offering distinct advantages and challenges. Gameplay At its core, Orléans is a bag-building and worker-placement game that challenges players to optimise their strategies through resource management and careful planning. Here’s a breakdown of the key gameplay mechanics: Bag Building: At the start of the game, players receive a set of basic worker tokens, which they place in their personal bags. These tokens represent the actions they can take during the game. Players then draw a random set of workers from their bags each round. Over time, they can customise their bags by adding various specialised workers, allowing for greater flexibility. Worker Placement: Players use the workers drawn from their bags to perform actions on the game board. Actions include securing new tokens, moving up on development tracks, building houses, and travelling to different locations on the map. The game board features a variety of spaces, each offering unique benefits and opportunities for players to advance their strategies. Advancement: The game encourages players to improve their position by advancing in several areas, such as collecting goods, constructing buildings, and expanding their influence on the map. These advancements are vital for earning victory points. Competition: Players must compete for resources, as well as vying for advantageous locations on the board. Effective resource management and strategic worker placement are crucial to success. Why “Orléans” is Enjoyable Depth: Orléans is celebrated for its strategic depth. Players must constantly weigh their options, from acquiring new workers and goods to choosing the most effective actions each round. The game rewards long-term planning and adaptability. Varied Strategies: The customisable bag-building mechanic allows for diverse strategies, as players can tailor their bags to focus on specific aspects of the game, such as development or expansion. This variety keeps the gameplay fresh and engaging. High Replayability: Orléans boasts high replayability due to its multiple paths to victory, variable setup options, and the ever-changing nature of bag-building. Each playthrough offers a new and exciting challenge. Engaging Theme: For a beige game, the medieval France theme is well-integrated into the game, with beautiful artwork and thematic components that immerse players in the historical setting. Orléans is a superb board game that strikes a harmonious balance between strategic depth and accessibility. Its unique blend of bag-building, worker placement, and resource management mechanics creates an engaging and rewarding gameplay experience. Whether you’re an experienced board gamer or new to the hobby, Orléans offers an enjoyable journey through medieval France filled with strategic challenges, making it a must-try title for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the world of tabletop gaming. So gather your workers, plan your strategies, and embark on a delightful adventure through Orléans.