Asmodee A Game of Thrones The Board Game (2nd Edition) - Epic Strategy in The World of Westeros, Tactical Wargame for Adults, Ages 14+, 3-8 Players, 2-4 Hour Playtime

Simply put, this is one of the best board games ever made. I've been a boardgame geek now for about ten years, and I've played well over a hundred different board and/or card games (mainly European) from every existing genre. I also own several games, and A Game of Thrones: The Board Game Second Edition (GoT) is one of the only games I would never even consider trading or selling. The Facts: The game plays three to six players. The rule set is actually considered simple for a war-strategy game (less complex than Axis and Allies yet slightly more complex than Risk), and anyone can learn the basics in under half an hour of instruction. Otherwise, the rules manual is very well organized and easy to follow if a newbie would rather just read it. A typical six-player game (recommended) can last anywhere between four and six hours, depending on the players' experience. The game does have a finite clock set to ten rounds, so even heavy "analysis paralysis" amongst players won't make the game last forever. Fans of the HBO series and/or books who have not completed the story need not fear of spoilers as the game does not deal with any actual events from the books (it does reveal the names and associated Houses of characters and places through book three, but nothing that's going to spoil anything for you). An optional card deck called "Tides of Battle" is also included, allowing for a more Risk-like element of luck to be utilized when playing (actually quite fun). The 2nd edition of the game includes the Southern Expansion as part of the main board, as well as those updated rules and corresponding House cards. This edition does NOT include the most recent expansion. The Pros: For the most part, GoT has a very taught rule set, minimizing loopholes and/or contradictory rules that plague many lesser war strategy games. After a couple play-throughs, I also found most of the rules to be quite intuitive and easy to remember. This is a HUGE plus for a game with so much going on, and because there is so much going on at any given time, GoT is incredibly engaging. Hours really do seem like minutes when playing. I've had six-hour sessions only to be frothing at the mouth to play again. one of the more fun scenarios of the game is when every player must bid against one another on the influence tracks. Sometimes the bidding wars are more fun than the actual combat! Another plus to this game is its beautiful design and artwork. No expense was spared on what you receive out of the box, making it intrinsically worth every penny. The Cons: After about ten play-throughs so far, I've really only found one potential gripe, and many may not even consider it to be a negative. Basically, the game can be so much fun at times that an easy trap for a player (especially a newcomer) to fall into is to lose sight of the object of the game, which is to acquire the most castles and/or strongholds by the end of round ten (acquiring seven makes for an immediate win). If that is not your ultimate goal, then you're not really playing the game. Often times players will spend most of the game either backing an alliance that they've struck or carrying out personal vendettas, forgetting that they themselves must have the most castles to win! Though that can be frustrating for competitive players, it also just points to the game's extreme fun factor. You really can lose yourself in it. So if you're a fan of the books/series and you appreciate an accessible war strategy game, then GoT is a must-have for your game closet. My friends and I now dedicate entire days (or nights) to convening for a session or two, and never have we walked away without grins on our faces. The board game that put Fantasy Flight on the map is still one of the best games of the last decade.

Only have played it a few times, with 3, 4 and 5 players. I find it quite enjoyable. The system is not complicated, there is just a lot to do each round. That's the complexity of it, not that any one rule is all that complicated. It took a 3rd time to really get into the strategy. So your first few games should be to learn the game. And even in learn game mode you start seeing strategies you will definitely use in future game plays. Gotta love the huge board. Great artwork on the cards. Units are decent enough, not detailed, but don't need to be. There is a lot you have to watch as you control and build and sustain your armies when trying to conquer 7 Castles or Strongholds. Lean in any one direction too far, and you will open yourself to weaknesses. This adds some great layers to the game. Do you spend a token to control an area you just left? Of do you keep it to get a better ranking on the 3 Command Tracks? Or do you keep it and use it in case a Wilding Attack occurs? Maintaining supply lines are also important. Do you use your token from above to keep that piece of land that give you an extra supply barrel? Cause if you don't your army might have to reduce it's numbers to fit the supply track, which give you less tokens for the command track and wilding attacks. (I love the fact that when wildings attack, all the players have to participate in defending Westeros...or else.) Interactions and alliances between players are highly recommended. With the use of text messages to send 'ravens' to other players in hope for support the angles this game can go can be quite generous and will add a lot of variety to each play session. Though at the time of this review, we have yet to really do much allying and backstabbing with each other. There is a lot to like about this game. With many options and ways to play each house. There is much you have to watch to keep your Family strong. Cons: Not quite simple enough to pick up and play. There are videos on youtube that have helped greatly learning this deep board game. So watch those before you play. But to call this a 'con' is kind of taking the fun out of learning a new game, which I very much enjoyed doing with this game. Don't know if it will ever happen, but more expansions would be great. I do have the expansion for this, but it needs 6 players, and I haven't rounded up enough people for that type of game yet. Overall, this is a great game, taking place in a great universe, with loads of variety.

I recently had to buy this board game because I am a fan of the show and had to somehow fill the void left by the 2nd season finale! I came by the board game searching for the books on amazon and upon researching if it was too hard to play I decided to give it a shot. I am by no means a serious board game player and not into board games all that much. I have only played board games a handful of times these last few years with Monopoly being the most complex and I have played RISK maybe 5-10 times my whole life so don't be scared to try this game if you think is too hard. I have played this game 4 times now with only casual board game players like myself and the overwhelming majority of them have enjoyed it. It did help that most of them were fans of the show as well but once you get into the game you really enjoy it and lose track of time as you are constantly planning your next move, who to form an alliance with, whether to betray a current alliance etc. So even those not familiar with the show will enjoy it! What I really like about the game is it's mostly strategy that will determine whether you win or lose, though luck will always play some roll. It's important to mention the game comes with an optional add-on(Tides of Battle cards) that creates that extra bit of chance for those who prefer that. As for the complexity of the game it really is easy once you start playing it. What makes it feel complex is that there are a lot of rules and things to keep up with, but it's quite simple to follow them once you've played for a few rounds (though you will find yourself correcting things that were being played wrong in subsequent games). What I would suggest for casual board game players to do is read the rules once, watch a youtube video (there's quite a few out there but this one I found to be the most helpful [...] and just start a practice simulated game. The one good thing about the instructions is that they are set out in the order that the game will be played so you can play a simulated game as you read the rules. It really only takes a few game rounds to get the gist of it, off course some things will require re-reading as with any game. I'll mention again that setting up the game and playing a simulated game as you read the rules will REALLY help you understand the game! The one thing to take into consideration when buying this game is that it will take 3-5 hours to complete. The more experienced the players the less time it will take but I always tell new players to expect to play for 5 hours. Be sure the people you play with know this so everyone's into the game when you are crossing that 3hr mark.(which actually goes by fast when you're playing the game) In conclusion it's a really entertaining game and even casual gamers will like it. It's a game that will make you think and give you a "can't wait till my next turn" feeling. Like the show the game will bring out unusual alliances and backstabbing which just makes it more fun! For fans of the show it's great to use the character you like and playing the board game gives you a sense of the territory of Westeros and the advantages/disadvantages the families have. If you are unsure because you think it might be too complex don't be, the game is a lot of fun and after a few times playing it you will find yourself(as other reviewers have mentioned) interested in similar strategy based board games!

I came into this game not as a board gamer but as a fan of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. Like most people I have played my share of board games in my life, but not many more complex than Monopoly, Clue, or the occasional game of Risk. I'm sure that a more serious board gamer will review this product here in the future, so I will provide what perspective I can. This game is incredible and has made me interested in playing more serious board games in the future. I will not attempt to explain the complex rules of this game. Fantasy Flight Games's website has very helpful resources for this, including the complete rules PDF and a tutorial video. I recommend that any group intending to play this has each individually watched that tutorial video. On top of that, at least one person will need to read (at least two times probably) the rule book. Trying to explain this game to others is a tall order. However, once the game is understood and a few practice rounds done, the game takes on a life of its own. The six houses available for play are extremely well balanced and each has its own advantages and disadvantages when it comes to geographical board position, supply, influence, and unit types. These houses really each lend themselves to different play styles, but nevertheless challenge the players to do something outside of this comfort zone. For example, the Starks have a near unconquerable hold on the snowy North (as in the books). Based on the geography, if the Stark player chose he could easily defend his homeland against all comers. However, Stark will never win the game this way and it is only when he stretches his resources thin that his land is more vulnerable. Other houses such as Tyrell are thrown into the fray from the beginning and have no such defensive strategy available to them. Greyjoy has absolute dominance over the sea and if played well can serve as a naval raiding nuisance that others must band together to defeat. I suspect that players will quickly see which houses are ideal for the way they wish to play. The game is for 3-6 players and I don't really recommend 3. Without the more Southern houses, Baratheon is able to take over the territory requisite for victory pretty quickly unless the other two players band against him. The manufacturer has made changes in this 2nd edition that have improved this kind of problem over the original, but it's still possible. 4 players is more balanced and quite fun, but 5 or 6 is ideal. The games will certainly take 2 hours at the minimum and realistically probably 3 or 4. The game length could reach up to 6 hours if the group is particularly engaged. On that note, no other game I've played does as good a job of drawing the players in as this one. The game encourages alliances as well as betrayals. With my group we would talk and roleplay somewhat during the game. Meanwhile, we opened up text messages to each other to facilitate backdoor betrayals so that other players could not hear. This is all made ten times more fun if you are a fan of the series and can get that giddy excitement by virtue of fighting over a familiar city like Harrenhal. A few other notes: - Combat is entirely luckless and based on strategy and skill. There is an optional module included that allows you to introduce a small element of luck, which I think is a good idea after a few games. - The board game components themselves are amazing. Everything feels very well designed and produced. I especially love the army units and their marbled plastic design. All in all this is just a fantastic board game, especially for those who are a fan of the book and TV series. For those who aren't, it's still an excellent game in and of itself, and it might introduce you to one of the greatest fantasy series of all time. EDIT 1/12/12: Thought I'd throw an edit into this review after some time. First of all the game is still great. The main point of this update is to say that there is an issue with the original printing of this game involving warping of the board. My board is slightly affected by this. Others have it worse and some have no issue at all. However, Fantasy Flight Games will be correcting the issue on future printings, and will be sending out free replacements to those who need them. You can contact their support via their website, they are very helpful people.

I've played dozens of games of this board game, and most of those were with the same group of 6 people over the span of a few weeks. I really enjoy this game, but it should be noted that it is NOT an easy game to explain, and the rules feel a little clunky at times - I still need to review ports before I start a game. That said, within those rules is a really terrific game for the theme - A Game of Thrones. If players know the rules pretty well, games last about 2-2.5 hours minus setup time (though if players are reasonably confident with rules the setup is actually pretty quick). The game is broken into phases - secretly placing orders on each of your units, revealing all of the orders on the map, and resolving them. There is a huge amount of strategy involved in order placement, and the orders themselves (particularly supporting) can help instigate alliances or promote betrayals. On the first few plays, the game feels a bit unbalanced toward Greyjoy, and to a lesser extent, Baratheon. After our first 5 games, we started to keep track of who was winning and with what house. Our results generally showed that Tyrell and Stark were the two strongest factions, followed by Baratheon and Greyjoy, then Martell and Lannister. Greyjoy's new player advantage mostly stems from that new players are generally too nice to fight each other until late game, generally forgetting what game they're playing (you win or you die). Tyrell is simply better at breaking stalemates and winning on time, and Baratheon is strong simply because other players tend to ignore them. Lannister is not super strong, but if played like a Lannister can do really well. That said, once everyone has a few games under their belt, the balance issues are not as prevalent, and expansions really help that fact. The base game is really only balanced around a 6 player game. A Feast For Crows expansion helps that a bit for cheap, and the new Mother of Dragons adds a lot of new elements, namely making lower player counts much more tolerable and thematic. Your enjoyment of the game is also really dependent on the group you're playing with. You really need to be comfortable with backstabbing, lying, and getting mad with each other. I've played with a group that was really good about this and it's some of the most enjoyable board game experiences I've had, but I've also played with close friends who were incredibly passive and it was much less enjoyable. In summary, if you're a casual board gamer who is intrigued by the theme - go watch some YouTube videos of gameplay and see if this level of complexity is for you. If you want a board game that takes a bit of time to get the hang of, but is as close to feeling like Game of Thrones as any game could be, then this is a terrific game. This is not a party game for casual fans of the show (it actually came out before the show even started), but is a great game if you can get 6 good people together for a night of it.

It's a Game of Thrones. There really isn't much else to say. If you are familiar with the book series or the show then you already know that when you play a Game of Thrones, you win or you die. I would highly suggest this game. I've only played three times since the writing of this review and each round was completely different than the last. I've played with three different groups of people who all said they enjoyed it and are all looking forward to playing it again. This game is full of unpredictable turns that will keep you on your toes for the entire length of the game. One round you will be building an alliance with an enemy house to prevent another house from winning, only to see yourself betray the alliance you had just formed on your next turn. You really can't trust anyone. At the same time, you have to work together at times to prevent a house from winning. It makes for an exciting and very strategic game that all players will enjoy. The objective of the game is to capture 7 strongholds within 10 rounds. The rounds will take longer and longer due to players thinking of strategies to out maneuver their opponents as the game progresses. The first round is fairly quick, but really plays a role into how the rest of the game will play out for you and the opposing players. Do you go for strongholds first or supply lines? Do you build land units to push across the lands and capture enemy territory? Or do you focus on building ships to quickly travel the seas surrounding Westeros and attack when they least expect it? The choice is yours! There are quite a bit of rules, and I would say that there is somewhat of a learning curve. However, once the rules are understood, you begin thinking of strategies for the ongoing game and even the game you plan on playing next week. Each house is unique in their own way which adds even more flavor to the game. All in all I would highly suggest this game if you have a group of friends looking for a fun, strategic, unique, and challenging board game to try. My friends and I are having a blast with it. We are all looking forward to playing it again.

This was a fantastic board game but be warned... it is a very in-depth board game as well. I love complex and strategic games where players have to think through all their options and adjust their strategies as the game changes.This game definitely delivers on that! As warned above, this game is very in-depth and complex. The rule book can appear very scary and large compared to most other games. Do not expect this game to be a quick or simple game. My recommendation would be to read the rule book thoroughly and watch the video on Youtube by Fantasy Flight Games on how to play. Teaching the game to new people is always the hardest part. But, once you start to play the game flows very smoothly. The first few turns may be a bit rough but once everyone understands the mechanics, the game really picks up and becomes a ton of fun. Alliances are made, bets are cast, and battles are fought. However, I will have to say that the game plays best with 5 to 6 players. With 5 to 6 people, there are less advantages for the south players and the game really becomes a game of diplomacy, strategy, and deal-making/breaking. I have played two games (one with 4 players and one with 5 players) and the 5 player game was the most enjoyable. The most fun is going into a backroom with a potential ally and planning out your intricate strategy and hoping your opponents can't counter. Additionally, no prior knowledge of Game of Thrones is needed. Reading the books or watching the show certainly adds flavor to the game but is not needed. Although there are some minor flaws, the game is by far one of the best I've ever played. It is deep, complex, strategical, and very fun. I would definitely recommend!

I bought and played this bad boy with several members of the esteemed East Coast Bias podcast while consuming adult beverages and waxing philosophical about the corruption of America's youth via Snapchat and Nicholas Sparks novels. None of us were very familiar with the advanced board game scene, so it was a pretty eye-opening experience. I don't think we're ready for a Settlers tournament yet, but onward... Before we played A Game of Thrones: The Board Game Second Edition (henceforth AGoT:TBG2E), we each tried to read the 30 pages of instructions. We understood very little and figured we would try to play as we went. No one wanted to be the Greyjoys, so we picked out of a hat. Naturally I had to play as Theon and co. From there we kind of fumbled our way through the game. It was pretty-to-very enjoyable. I look forward to our next play, but unfortunately being almost 30 there is only so much time for complicated board games with your friends. I blame Mrs. Philyodaddy, she's always wanting me to do stuff like visit museums or go to work. Woman, I have been waiting to use this Euron Crow's Eye card for 3 rounds now! Just let me Muster my forces! Leave me alone! I do think this is the type of game that only gets better the more you play as everyone will understand it better. One of our group (The Starks) spent 10 turns moving his forces back and forth between the Northern territories. Have fun up there buddy, I've got a clear path to Kings Landing and I have Valyrian Steel in my hand. ANNYYYWAY, since this is in the "toys" category, I will address philyodaddy's favorite star ranking, Educational Value. 5 Stars. AGoT:TBG2E Teaches children (and grown children like me) important lessons like the geography of Westeros ("No, you dimwit, the Stoney Shore is MILES from the Stoney Sept.") as well as important social dynamics such as: how to stab your friends in the back, a useful talent in Corporate America, just ask the Zuckerberg. On a personal note, it is way too much of them to ask us to keep all of those little pieces in some kind of organized fashion for following playthroughs, I mean let's be real, if you're anything like philyodaddy, your method of cleaning up is throwing everything in the box, slamming the lid shut, clapping your hands together, and saying "All in a good day's work". This is considerably more difficult when there are 689490349 pieces/cards/items included in the game. The board is also the size of a 12-person dining room table. So I hope you have one. My one complaint would be that even with 30 pages of instructions, we still don't know how a few things work. Ports? Ships? Not a clue, we made the rules up as we went along. Pretty sure if there was a professional AGoT:TBG2E society, they would shun the crap out of us.

This is a very impressive board game! It's intended for adults (or, at the very least, older children) - as it's a rather sophisticated game, requiring a lengthy attention span. You'll ideally need 4 to 6 players in order to enjoy the game ... although you could make it work with 2 or 3. And, any more than 6 players, you'll need to operate in teams. The objective is to engage in various tactics - from open diplomacy to secret alliances and bloody warfare - so as to conquer the Iron Throne for your selected House of the Seven Kingdoms of Westros. It's based on George R. R. Martin fantasy novels - 'A Song of Ice and Fire' - and this second edition draws on the imagery as seen in the 'Game of Thrones' TV series. The game consists of a lot ... a large board, and hundreds of cards and tokens. I've attached some photos so you can see the contents. All of it is well made, and this board game is a deluxe item. It can take quite some time to play - between 2 and 3 hours - and each time you play involves a new set of circumstances, depending on the various strategies each player opts to take. I do enjoy board games, and this is one of the more detailed and complex that I've played. Nonetheless, it's a great deal of fun. And I recommend it to fans of 'A Game of Thrones'.

Calidad: El producto llego antes de lo esperado, incluso siendo importado, además llego en perfectas condiciones. La calidad del material es de lo mejor que he visto, las cartas, el tablero, las fichas (cartón y plástico). Es de primera. Inspirado al 100% en las novelas. Jugabilidad: Considerado uno de los mejores juegos de estrategia que hay, tiene una jugabilidad bastante fluída, ya que los jugadores participan al mismo tiempo en todas las acciones, haciendo que, por ejemplo a diferencia de los Risk, no tienes que esperar mucho para que sea tu turno y jugar y lo vuelve cambiante. Es importante decir que el minimo de jugadores es 3. Es muy dinámico y aunque al principio tantas reglas parecen abrumadoras, son sencillas y faciles de aprender y enseñar a los demas. Muy equilibrado entre las distintas casas y una muy amplia variedad de estrategias se pueden tomar. Recomendado ampliamente para los fanaticos de los juegos de mesa, y para los tambien fanaticos de la saga, sin duda es compra obligada.

Gameplay: The game is a rich blend of strategy, negotiation, and deception. Each player takes on the role of one of the great houses, vying for control of the Iron Throne. The mechanics are well-balanced, ensuring that no single strategy guarantees victory. The emphasis on diplomacy and alliances adds a layer of depth that keeps every session fresh and unpredictable. Components: The quality of the components is outstanding. The board is beautifully illustrated, and the house tokens and cards are durable and intricately designed. The attention to detail really helps bring the world of Westeros to life on the table. Replayability: With multiple house options and the ever-changing dynamics of player interactions, no two games are the same. The game scales well with different numbers of players, though it truly shines with a full complement of six. Complexity: This is not a game for casual players or those looking for a quick play. The rules are detailed and the strategies involved require thoughtful planning and a willingness to adapt. However, for those who enjoy a challenge, the learning curve is part of the fun and incredibly rewarding once mastered. Time Commitment: Be prepared for long game sessions. A full game can easily last 3-4 hours, but for me, the time flies by due to the engaging and tense gameplay. Conclusion: The Game of Thrones Board Game is a must-have for fans of the series and strategy enthusiasts alike. It brilliantly encapsulates the political intrigue, battles, and shifting alliances of the source material. Gather your friends, prepare for betrayal, and may the best house rule Westeros!

Awesome! Boys have played this non stop since receiving. Teenage fun! Fun with the grandparents! Holiday fun! Highly recommend

Gioco eccezionale! Puro strategico, senza dadi e molte molte alleanze da fare! Se avete amicizie durature...è la volta buona che le perdete!