At a glance
Players: 1–8 · Play time: 45–60 min · Game weight (Stonemaier Games): Light · Tile-drafting game · Publisher: Stonemaier Games · Designer: Ben Rosset & Matthew O'Malley
Between Two Castles: Essential Edition (STM508)
Between Two Castles: Essential Edition is a tile-drafting game from Stonemaier Games for 1–8 players that plays in about 45–60 minutes.
How it plays
You're a master builder designing castles for the king, and you work with a partner on each side. You build one castle with the player on your left and another with the player on your right.
Each turn you choose two room tiles from your hand, reveal them, then work with your partners to place them. At the end, every castle is scored and your personal score is the lower of your two castles, so you have to share your attention.
The Essential Edition combines the original game and the Secrets & Soirees expansion in one box, with no gameplay changes.
What's in the box
- 194 unique room tiles
- 80 other tiles
- 28 bonus cards
- 8 player aid cards
- 8 wooden castle tokens
- 76 cardboard tokens
- 28 Automa cards (solo mode)
- 1 scorepad
- 3-piece Game Trayz insert
- 1 rulebook
Saga Table Talk
Great for: Bigger groups (up to 8) and families who like friendly, cooperative-feeling competition. It also has a solo mode.
What a game night feels like: Lots of chatter with your neighbors about where the bathroom goes, and a lot of laughs at oddly designed castles.
If you like this, try: Origin Story, Tokaido: Crossroads & Matsuri
Teaching tip: Remind everyone at the start: your score is your weaker castle, so help both partners.
FAQ
How many players can play Between Two Castles?
Between Two Castles is for 1–8 players.
How long does Between Two Castles take?
Stonemaier Games lists about 45–60 minutes.
Do I need anything else to play Between Two Castles?
No. Between Two Castles is a complete, standalone game.
Is Between Two Castles good for two players?
Yes. It plays with two, and Stonemaier Games lists it for 1–8 players.
Is Between Two Castles hard to learn?
Stonemaier Games rates its game weight as Light.
What does the Essential Edition include?
The original Between Two Castles plus the Secrets & Soirees expansion in one box, with no rule changes.
