At the start of the game, each player receives one (with 4-6 players) or two (with 2-3 players) castle tiles. During the game, a player can choose to place one of their castle tiles instead of the regular tile in hand, with tile parts needing to match as usual; when the player places it, they can place a follower somewhere on the tile. If the follower is in the main castle, the tile scores like a cloister and is worth 12 points when completely surrounded. If a city or road is completed during the game and part of that structure is on a castle tile, then the city or road is worth 3 additional points, no matter who placed the tile.
S**Y
Glad we got them
We use these tiles every game now, as they add an interesting extra dimension. The extra 3 points for completed cities and roads attached to the castle tiles along with the twelve points for completely surrounding the castle has everyone trying to get these tiles out early in the game. The fact that they are a darker background green doesn't bother us, as they are a special tile anyway. The abbey tiles that come with the Mayor expansion are bright red, so what's the difference? The roads can be challenging to manage as far as keeping open green for your farmer goes with some of the castles; others insure continuous green, so it's the luck of the draw. The corner road layouts can come in very handy or be a total pain, depending on your tile drawing luck as the game proceeds, but with Carcassonne that's true of about everything. Glad we got them.
R**L
One of the more fun mini-expansions!
I'm enjoying playing my "usual" Carcassonne game (basic + Inns/Cathedrals + Traders/Builders + Ghost) with the German Castles added in. These double-width tiles are a bit of a novelty, and can be used in two ways: 1) almost the same way as a monastery, i.e. place a Meeple on the castle then score 12 if you manage to surround the whole thing, and 2) to add value to features that end on the castle tile (roads and cities) by awarding an extra 3 points on top of the feature's score. Plus they offer another way to cut off farms, and since my usual playing partner is a farm hog, I like that!
A**S
Like others have commented
Like others have commented, the colour is a bit off, but this is true when you buy the Bazaars expansion. I like the fact that they have finally included structures that exist irl (Japanese Monestaries and this set) to build around. The only downside is trying to complete all the roads that lead to the castles. Want to see another German castles expansion (there's just so many!) and some from other European countries and the UK.
R**H
Great addition to an already awesome game
Yes, color is a few shades darker than the original tiles but who cares? The Cathedrals are also the same shade green so if you worry more about how to add the points, youll be fine...
J**W
Cool addition to the game
Cool addition to the game. Mine arrived with the German language rules but the English version was easy to find. The color palette is the previous edition so it won't match the 2014 version of the base game. It is clear which edges are fields and city walls.
S**L
Two Stars
The green doesn't match the original artwork to the point I don't use them at all.
Trustpilot
1 month ago
1 day ago
