I liked this board when I started playing it, but then realized how often it becomes a de-facto light fog board once players capture the castles. That leads to players ganging up on the leading player, and too much of an incentive on deal-making in my opinion
I'd give it a much better review if card capture were enabled. It's soooooo hard to get rid of someone with some 10's on a capital, and you get literally nothing for it.
Makes what should be a decent board very frustrating.
Simple, elegant use of capitals. I like that eliminations don't give a huge bonus, allows for a far more interesting end-game in terms of strategy. Castles is never boring; wish I dared play it.
An easy to read map, with a straightforward take on game play. The usual strategies don't necessarily work, though, and that increases the intrigue. I'll be playing this one again.