Objective of the Game
In Village, players take on the role of heads of family, seeking to build the influence and prestige of their family over several generations within the village. The main focus is on cleverly timing actions and planning across generations. The game ends when either all spaces in the graveyard are filled or two general action sections are depleted. The winner is the player with the most prestige points.
Game Setup
- Lay out the game board and ensure all village areas are ready with the corresponding markers and tiles.
- Each player receives a player board, a certain number of influence markers (depending on the number of players), and a certain number of family members.
- The game pieces start on the house section of each player's board.
- Place the round markers on the corresponding board spaces.
Gameplay
The game is played in rounds, each consisting of several phases. Each player takes turns until all action spaces are emptied.
1. Round Start:
Round markers are randomly placed on the board. Players take turns performing one action each.
2. Taking Influence:
A player can perform an action by taking an influence marker from an action space and executing the action depicted there.
Possible Actions: 1. Harvesting: Collect grain for food. 2. Traveling: Send a family member on a journey to gather prestige points. 3. Marketplace: Sell goods. 4. Town Hall: Introduce a new family member into a village career such as priest, craftsman, politician, or traveler. 5. Church: Send a member to the church for potential future prestige points. 6. Craftsmanship: Craft goods or convert them directly into prestige points.
3. Lifespan and Death
- Each family member has a lifespan, marked by time tokens. If they accumulate 70 years or more, they die.
- Certain actions, such as traveling and craftsmanship, cost time and increase the likelihood of family members dying.
4. Round End
Refill the round markers for the next round according to the number of players and the rules on the board.
Strategic Insights
- Time Management: Managing the lifespan of family members is crucial for strategically allowing them to die in careers or on travels for maximum point gain.
- Planning: Setting strategic early goals can be beneficial as later generations can struggle to attain prominent positions.
- Resource Management: Efficient gathering and spending of resources, like grain and materials, can be pivotal.
The winner is the player with the most prestige points at the end of the game.
