Charterstone: First Steps

Picking up a new game is always daunting. Will it work with 2 players? Will it be engaging? Will you even understand the rules? 

Opening the box it is obvious that Charterstone is a quality game. The resources are lovely, the metal coins are satisfying, and the design is cohesive.

Being our third legacy game, Cathy and I knew what to expect. New elements and rules would be introduced each round. The board itself would change. Each game would have winners, but there would also be an overall campaign score at the end. We also knew worker placement games, Everdell being a favorite of ours.

Yet with all this knowledge, there are some elements of Charterstone that haven't quite clicked for me yet. Part of the fun of any game is learning the rules, but usually there is a moment when you suddenly understand how the machine works and you see the big picture. After two games I'm still a little hazy on all of the nuances.

It took a while to understand all of the mechanics and mechanisms behind Dorfromantik before the game really gelled with Cathy and I, so I might just need a few more rounds before this game really crystalizes for me.

Meanwhile I will keep appreciating the wooden meeples including the tiny golems.








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