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Game Info
Year
2024
Collection
Mechanic profile
Percentile rank vs. all games
Vibe profile
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Description
You are the head of a fiefdom and its future is in your hands. Will you develop agriculture with fields and mills? Or will you become a pious church-builder or prefer to feast in your sumptuous palaces? Develop your lands in your image and become the most influential lord in the kingdom.
In Middle Ages, you explore the economics of medieval urban life through eight distinct tiles: fields, farms, villages, forts, markets, barracks, churches, and palaces. Each tile features its own scoring system, yet it's linked to others, offering an immersive gaming experience. Unleash strategic maneuvers, from daring assaults on rival fiefdoms to reserving tiles for future use. Harness the power of tactical combinations to amplify your income and pave your way to triumph! With an ever changing tile board, you need to be able to plan ahead but adapt to changing circumstances to make the best moves.
The richest player at the end of the 16th round wins.
—description from the publisher
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All mentions
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 13
This page: 13
Sentiment:
pos 10 ·
mix 1 ·
neu 2 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–13 of 13
Video zm_0BYwYLSo
Discussion at 7:54 sentiment: positive
video_pk 69397 · mention_pk 165883
Click to watch at 7:54 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Prefer it to Splendor
- More interesting than Splendor
- Gorgeous looking game
- Windmill strategy can be very lucrative
- Versatile game
- Avoided take that elements
Cons
- Maybe a little simpler than I would like
- Could be 20% heavier
Thematic elements
Comparison games
- Splendor
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- engine building — Went really heavy for a windmill strategy which means that each time you take a windmill um every opponent with fewer windmills than you will give you coins which is your points essentially.
- Objective Fulfillment — And again you're trying to do pick up these tasks which will all score in slightly different ways.
- tableau building — As you are building up this little Tableau of tiles.
- take that — Managed to avoid quite a lot of the take that things going on as well.
- tile drafting — Using this kind of King Domino drafting system where the earlier tile you draw or draft in the previous round will SL will decipher how early you go in the next round.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Rise is a fantastic Euro um that all about climbing tracks and it really does have this kind of roll and right feel um as when you move up some tracks it'll push you up other tracks which will give you other bonuses it really does have that kind of combo domino effect scoring um all well that's what this game is all about really and I don't think any other game does it better than rise does.
- This is such a cool game that I must admit I do need to be in the right mood to play because it is quite cerebral it's a bit of a game of attrition where you need to be patient and know when to strike and know when to sit back.
- What a wonderful game it's so smooth and so streamlined but still offers so many options and it's exactly what I want for a game in my collection.
- This is probably the most competitive game of bble that I've had um very cut Thro as we were tearing each other's temples down switching temples off to the other side.
- Really cool Euro again criminally underrated and overlooked um but maybe the new addition will get this one back into the spotlight so that is ayia.
- I actually prefer this game to Splendor because um it's it's just a bit more bit more interesting in my opinion.
- Kind of really does walk that tight rip of being a Euro but also an abstract strategy game.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Ewa4YEboVZY
Meeple University Rules Teach at 0:08 sentiment: neutral
video_pk 63857 · mention_pk 157374
Click to watch at 0:08 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
- Clear step-by-step explanation
- Demonstrates setup, round structure, and tile interactions
Cons
- Dense with many mechanics and terms
Thematic elements
- engine-building and wealth accumulation in a medieval setting
- Middle Ages
- rules demonstration with examples
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- column actions and incomes — After placing a tile, a column's actions are resolved and incomes are earned for that column.
- end game bonuses — At the end, penalties apply for empty columns; the winner is determined by money, with tie-breakers including palaces, churches, and barracks.
- end-of-game penalties and tie-breakers — At the end, penalties apply for empty columns; the winner is determined by money, with tie-breakers including palaces, churches, and barracks.
- event cards and round-end effects — Every 4 rounds, an event is drawn and resolved; brown events grant income and red events can reduce wealth.
- Events — Every 4 rounds, an event is drawn and resolved; brown events grant income and red events can reduce wealth.
- income calculation per column — Incomes are calculated per column based on the tiles present (e.g., fields, mills, markets).
- round-based play over 16 rounds — The game progresses through 16 rounds with turns in left-to-right order; tiles are added each round and events resolve at specific milestones.
- scout and mobility via Scout marker — A Scout marker can be placed on certain tiles to influence future tile selection and incomes.
- tile drafting and placement into fom — Players place Lords on tiles in the top row and add tiles to their fom to gain wealth and determine turn order.
- tile types and incomes — Blue and orange tile decks are used depending on player count; tiles such as Fields, Mills, Ramparts, Market, Barracks, Village, Church, and Palace determine incomes and interactions.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- how you build your land is up to you
- the player with the most wealth will be the winner
- these are the events which will resolve at the ends of Round 4 8 12 and 16
- the game ends after the 16th round
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 0BqSAo8PAb0
Jamie, Tabletoptiktok Review at 0:03 sentiment: positive
video_pk 61509 · mention_pk 154161
Click to watch at 0:03 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Open drafting with visible planning ahead
- High replayability due to variable tile order
- Nice components; solid production
Cons
- Can be dense with interactions; requires careful tracking
- Balancing multiple areas is necessary to avoid heavy penalties
Thematic elements
- Resource management and territorial development in a stylized medieval setting
- Medieval kingdom-building with tile-based areas
- Abstract puzzle-driven drafting with competitive interaction
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- drafting — Open drafting where tiles are revealed in rows and players select tiles based on turn order.
- end_game_scoring — At game end, areas without tiles lose points; players must balance coverage across multiple areas.
- event_cards — Event cards trigger global changes every four rounds.
- Events — Event cards trigger global changes every four rounds.
- set collection — Collect different tile types to unlock coins and bonuses.
- set_collection — Collect different tile types to unlock coins and bonuses.
- tile placement — Place drafted tiles into your personal board to build and activate regions.
- tile_interaction — Tiles interact with other tiles and influence scoring, e.g., markets affecting Mill tiles.
- tile_placement — Place drafted tiles into your personal board to build and activate regions.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I really like this game because it's different every time you play
- it's open drafting you can see what's coming a couple rounds ahead
- I definitely enjoy Middle Ages
- I've been playing it a lot on BGA with other people
- I would love to know if you've played it what do you think of it
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video ZjmDuEQbG_8
Board Game Dad Top List at 19:12 sentiment: positive
video_pk 38404 · mention_pk 115656
Click to watch at 19:12 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Excellent family appeal with layered strategic thinking
- Clear tile-drafting tension and forward planning
- High replayability with multiple boards and sequences
Cons
- Can be more complex for very young players
- Historically heavy feel may not suit every family
Thematic elements
- medieval expansion and development
- A medieval-themed tile drafting city-builder
- elevated by a robust, strategic framework
Comparison games
- King Domino
- Tile-laying family staples
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- asymmetrical, double-sided boards — Players may choose different board sides for replayability and strategy.
- multi-tile scoring and actions on each tile — Each tile has scoring, abilities, and actions that shape decisions.
- tile drafting with future tiles in view — Rounds show current and upcoming tiles, influencing planning and turn order.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- these games satisfy the same three criteria of all of my countdown family lists which is first of all they are accessible for all ages meaning none of the games on the list have very complex rules you can teach these games in less than 10 minutes and play it with anybody
- Planet Unknown is easily my favorite game on this list
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video LQo8CUl3jZg
The Board Game Garden Discussion at 12:06 sentiment: positive
video_pk 33325 · mention_pk 98993
Click to watch at 12:06 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- stained glass-like look
- gold foil accents on tiles
Cons
- white background with art can be plain unless detail is strong
Thematic elements
- tile drafting / stained glass aesthetic
- medieval/heritage with stained-glass motif
- visual-art-forward rather than story-driven
Comparison games
- Sagrada
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Tile drafting / set collection — glass-like, circular motif with gold foil accents
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Spirits of the Forest. Absolutely gorgeous box cover. I am just obsessed.
- I can't stop staring at it.
- Mysterium's box cover is gorgeous.
- I love the box art for Portals—the circle and portal motif just draws you in.
- Flamecraft is just so, so pretty.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video kI74L10zh1A
The Board Gaming Doctor Review at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 31505 · mention_pk 92807
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Great lightweight drafting experience
- Forward planning without heavy memory or tracking
- Playable at higher player counts
Cons
- Could feel lengthy for a lightweight title
- Some players may desire stronger penalties for random drafting
Thematic elements
- City-building through strategic drafting and tableau completion
- Medieval European city-building and development
- Tableau-driven engine with open drafting and scenic progression
Comparison games
- Kingdomino Framework
- Sagani (Rosenberg)
- Seven Wonders Duel
- Majesty for the Realm
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- drafting — Open drafting where players choose from a shared pool of buildings laid out for several turns.
- Open information / memory-light scoring — Public information reduces memory demands compared to closed-hand drafts.
- set collection — Players accumulate buildings into sets that contribute to scoring blocks.
- tableau building — Assembling a tableau of buildings to optimize coin-based scoring and end-game bonuses.
- Tableau building / engine building — Assembling a tableau of buildings to optimize coin-based scoring and end-game bonuses.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I enjoyed this game a lot though and I felt it was a great lightweight drafting game with the opportunity for forward planning without having to remember information like you do in other games
- would be an excellent game to play at higher player counts too
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video TmG3FgLRJsk
Rahdo Runs Through Review at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 7207 · mention_pk 21340
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Great production
- Brilliant design by renowned designer
Cons
- Too cutthroat for Roto and Jen
Thematic elements
- Medieval
Comparison games
- Majesty for the Realm
- Splendor
- Splendor Duel
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This is literally you will find no better example in all of board gamedom the idea of board games actually changing lives
- This game is absolutely phenomenal
- This might be my game of the year
- The best game I have played so far in 2024
- I have not found a tile lane game this tension filled since Calico
- Board games are about living good happy fulfilling lives
- Elf Creek games has consistently the highest quality production board game period in the industry
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video XJGrqPLtasg
Chairman of the Board Review at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 5678 · mention_pk 16891
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- condensed, gateway-level engine-building
- fast play (approximately 30 minutes)
- high-quality components and cohesive design
- gorgeous, stained-glass medieval artwork
- tense drafting with meaningful decisions
- replayability through interaction and tile variability
Cons
- take-that mechanics can be polarizing or destructive
- some may miss deeper asymmetry or longer play depth
Thematic elements
- medieval governance, resource management, and territorial development
- Medieval kingdom management with tile-based expansion and competing factions
- condensed, elegant engine-building with direct player interaction
Comparison games
- Majesty for the Realm
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- area/territory interaction — Powers may interact with the board or other players, sometimes through direct threats or attacks.
- engine building — Tiles provide ongoing bonuses or powers that amplify later income and score potential.
- set collection / diversification vs. concentration — Players diversify to gain broad benefits but may stockpile similar tiles to boost end-game cash and scoring.
- take that — Some powers let you affect opponents by removing or reshuffling tiles, creating tense back-and-forth decisions.
- Take-that style interaction — Some powers let you affect opponents by removing or reshuffling tiles, creating tense back-and-forth decisions.
- tile drafting — Players pick from a set of tiles each round, affecting both their future options and initiative order.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- very condensed almost gateway level engine building here
- be prepared for a bit of take that
- it's fast enough not to really make me feel disgruntled when it happens to me
- gorgeous design. This is like my tailor made style of artwork
- component quality is very high. Everything fits together like a jigsaw puzzle
- I could see this one being an evergreen
- reworking of a previous Mark Andre design. I think it was Majesty for the Realm
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video BOLWdOBW9pQ
Before You Play Top List at 6:01 sentiment: positive
video_pk 3426 · mention_pk 10178
Click to watch at 6:01 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- snappy 30+ minute playtime
- a re-implementation of a beloved classic (Majesty for the Realm) with a fresh take
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- economic and civic tableau-building with tile feeding
- medieval/renaissance-era tableau-building
- snappy, quick play
Comparison games
- Deus
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- action/slot scoring — specific actions tied to slots provide scoring alignments
- engine-building — tile-driven engine growth with scoring opportunities
- tableau building — eight slots where tiles are fed to activate actions and scoring
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- we did not include any games on our list that are demo only
- this time we have four honorable mentions because they are mainly games that were on our previous list
- it's a standalone game in the same franchise as Mar Kaio but apparently it's a lot more accessible to learn
- the game seems like it's Snappy quick
- two-player only trick-taking game
- it's an asymmetric deduction card game
- we are going to be discussing 10 games that we are ENT anticipating
- we're in the business of crafting and selling dreams
- this is a Tablo building kind of engine building game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video uYNVXp6Q-PA
BoardGameCo Discussion at 3:49 sentiment: neutral
video_pk 3114 · mention_pk 9094
Click to watch at 3:49 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
- Recently acquired
- Rules pulled recently showing interest
Cons
- Recently obtained so undecided
Thematic elements
- Medieval period
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I know the games I play. I know the games I love to play. And I know the games that I theoretically want to play but don't actually play.
- I need at least one of those two things in play - either high personal interest or good reputation
- Designers, reviewers, other people mentioned
- I'm going to be trying to be more mindful about reality as opposed to the desires that I have
- These tend to be less of a priority. Like occasionally I dive into an unplayed game that isn't a review copy, but more often than not if I'm diving into an unplayed game, review copies do take precedence
- I have so many euros I love and so many that I'm behind on
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video JVg_ZIjkUgQ
Rolling Dice & Taking Names Discussion at 19:15 sentiment: positive
video_pk 2315 · mention_pk 6731
Click to watch at 19:15 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Engaging strategy and high interaction
- Replayable setups
Cons
- Windmill-focused strategies can lead to dominance without checks
Thematic elements
- Resource management with windmills and ramparts
- Medieval village economy
- Engine-building with direct player interaction
Comparison games
- Agricola
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- resource drafting — Draft resources to fuel actions and scoring
- worker placement — Gather resources and build structures
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This one is short, sweet, and sexy.
- To me, this is a good, slightly above average movie.
- We did win our first game.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video zt01JKYXpNA
Rolling Dice & Taking Names Discussion at 20:47 sentiment: positive
video_pk 1738 · mention_pk 5023
Click to watch at 20:47 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Easy to teach
- Fast play for a midweight game
- Satisfying production and combos
Cons
- May require some onboarding for new players
Thematic elements
- Urban development, production and towers
- Medieval city-building
- Historical thematic
Comparison games
- Barcelona
- El Grande
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- tile drafting/placement — Draft and place tiles to build, optimize production and scoring.
- tower-building — Towers with unique scoring functions create strategic choices.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- "this is our 10th year doing this"
- "we are live from the volunteer fire department"
- "the 10th Annual squirly Awards"
- "we can't do this without the other people here"
- "head over to our Discord Channel and tell us what you think"
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video xcllSXf4jKw
Before You Play Review at 22:38 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 996 · mention_pk 2806
Click to watch at 22:38 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- Excellent component quality
- Good iconography
- Plays well at multiple player counts
- Simple mechanics
Cons
- Lacks strategic depth
- No cost for actions
Thematic elements
- Resource management and tile drafting
- Medieval estate building
Comparison games
- Majesty for the Realm
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Income generation — Players maximize coin income through strategic tile placement
- tile drafting — Players draft estate tiles with unique effects and income
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- We want to do this segment a little more frequently
- It's a big puzzle like that's what the game is
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
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