14.5.2017

I bough the this game specifically to be able to play 2 player with my partner (who likes board games like Talisman) - and as a game which could be scaled up to more than 2 players at other times. I had played twice before round a friends, so I did know what I was getting into before purchasing. This game works on both levels very well. This is essentially an 'euro style' 'worker placement' game (think Settlers of Catalan, or maybe Carcassone) with no dice; with wooden pieces or meeples, with a fantasy theme, namely a D&D concept, from one of the d&d backgrounds. I should point out that it uses none of the mechanics or rules from D&D and no knowledge of that game, or the background is required.The box is nice, having an unusual 'book' effect, making the lid shallow. The board is big and nicely designed, with space for discarded cards and the like and the pieces good quality, with a mix of wooden pieces and card. The money coins are particularly nice: square with holes in them. The box has a storage tray system in it, making the pieces fit nicely which is a nice touch, so you will not need zip lock bags or the like. It even tells you how to put the pieces away. The rule book is clear and quick to read and does a good job in telling you what to do. Have no fear, no 50 page rule book with people getting bored on the first play, well you struggle to get started. We were playing within 10 mins. The game is time limited to a certain extent, with a fixed number of 'rounds' - in the two player mode, you have more 'agents' and so it takes a little longer each time to place all you men and make decisions. We took about an hour to play each time; slightly longer the first time. In case you don't know these sorts of games having a scoring system and therefore you think you know who is in the lead, but due to end of game scoring based on the secret of who the 'lord' you are actually playing, this can be reversed quickly. In the first game, my partner won fairly clearly, but in the second we drew, which was actually nail biting, as each of us pulled out last minute scores. The main mechanic of the game is to build power by completing quests, which requires resources. These resources are earned by certain actions on the board. A warfare mission, might need 5 fighters and a wizard and the reward, some money and victory points, I.e. Power. This can be as emersive or abstract as you like. For example, you can say 'I need, 4 whites and a purple which I can get from those two squares' which is exactly what you need: coloured cubes from board positions, or you can say 'I need 4 clerics and a wizard, which I can get from the temple, or wizards tower', or whatever. You can also read the cards and look at the art, or read them out and enjoy the fantasy feel. Essentially the game mechanic COULD be transferred to any time, or setting and so the white cubes could be ships, or churches, or spaceships, but it's Waterdeep, so go with it. We didn't use the intrigue cards much, these are like 'effect' cards, played on other players, to slow them down or cause them grief, though many can benefit the person playing it, they seemed a little awkward in a 2 player game and we didn't use them much. The mandatory quests cards unlike other reviewers didn't bother us, and in my opinion didn't 'break' the game in any way. Don't use them if it bothers you. I have been playing board games and role playing games since the 1980s, but haven't played many of the modern Euro style ones. I recommend this game as a bridge between that style of game and a more traditional game. Some people not used to euro style games may be worried about lack of randomness but plenty of that is generated by the 'lord' you secretly play, the way quests come up and the building choices, so the game is different each time.

6.4.2012

I have to say straight off that those of you expecting a D&D game with figures and monster slaying, will not want to buy this game. However if you want a different side of D&D then this is an excellent game. Many folk have complained that this is just using the D&D logo and waterdeep name to get you to buy it. They are missing the point, there was always more to D&D than exploring tunnels and killing monsters and this game adds to the products out there already. In fact I think it adds a lot to the board game side of D&D.OK lets have a look at the game. Basicaly you have to build up your resources until you have amassed sufficient points to become the Lord of Waterdeep.This you do by sending agents out into the city to collect quests or visit buildings that will give you more resources. You can also build your own buildings and if another player enters them you get rent/reward in the form of a resource. (I should say here that the resources you need are followers or adventurers ie: wizards, clerics, fighters etc. though they are coloured bricks and we never refer to them as a fighter its always I need a Black block to complete this quest. Now this doesnt detract from the game in my opinion it enhances it, I can concentrate more on the game than looking at pretty figures.)You also need to think ahead to work out what you need to complete your quests, it is often a case of taking a small reward now to gain a larger reward later. Also you are randomly given a Lord card and this will tell you what benefit you gain at the end of the game. It can be something like gain 4 victory points for each building you own, and this can make a person who seems to be losing the overall winner and this part of the game i like. Just because someone thinks they are ahead and a sure fire winner dos'nt mean they are. It adds to the overall game by keeping your interest to the end.Another part of the game you cant ignore is the intrique cards, these can allow you to benefit in a small way as a one off or maybe you will get a large reward but you have to give the other players a small reward to claim it and that can give them a big advantage later on. So you need to balance your needs out with thiers. Small gain now for a bigger one maybe later?Overall this game is a lot of fun, it encourages interaction amongst players, some forward thinking is needed and an overall stratergy needs to be played if you want to be succesful. In the games we have played so far the person who has won has only won by a point or two and this encourages people to play again.Be warned though an expansion is planned, but they do tell you this in the rules book. As for the rules book it is simple and has lots of illustrations to make things easier to understand. The production values on the whole game are extremely high. I only wish other games companies would have such high standards. The rules book even tells you where to place everything in the game tray. Everything has a place and it fits perfectly.Would I say it was a valued purchase? YES!Will I play this game again and again? YES!!Is it fun to play and easy to learn? YES!!!

8.9.2013

To be clear, inside this box we have two mini expansions, undermountain and skullport. Both have plastified minimaps with new action locations where place your agents, new quest cards (with richer reward compared to base game), intrigue cards (more agents loot), new building (more diversified as cost to build but at same time more rich and intriguing as rewards), new lords and a new grey factions complete with agents and tokens.The undermountain offer nice rewards as resources and intrigue cards, it is easier to play), and all cards and building are identified by a beholder (the ugly blue guy at the front cover box,

23.10.2012

I ordered this game after reading all the reviews I could find, still I was surprised. We played two games so far and plan on playing many more. Here the breakdown:1) Components 5/5Everything is high quality. The box looks great, everything fits well together on the inside... easy to transport without creating a chaos, cards are easy to take out of the box. So far the best layout of any box I saw. Neat and tidy.2) Setting 3/5AD&D, Faerun, Waterdeep... so far so good. Decent art, nice flavor text, the whole game fits nicely into the setting. Still, we call the purple cubes "purple cubes" and not "Wizards". While everything is perfectly faerun-ish, it simply does not matter.

4.3.2015

OverviewSet in the famed Forgotten Realms, the city of Waterdeep plays host to some of the most powerful families in the world. Each vies for power through the employment of heroes to complete a myriad of quests, while endeavouring to derail the ambitions of their rivals.Lords of Waterdeep places the player in the role of family head, recruiting heroes by visiting the many establishments throughout Waterdeep and sending them on quests. These quests take numerous forms, and require varying completion conditions. Similarly, each quest offers a different reward, as players vie to finish the game furthest along the victory track.GameplayLords of Waterdeep is a turn based,

14.1.2015

Great game-play linked with beautiful quality game components and board. It really is a game I would expect to pay £40-£50+ so at this price it is a bit of a steal.Quick to learn. Fun to play.As mentioned in many of the other reviews the D&D link is used to provide 'flavour' and provide some lovely artwork topics for cards (if you like fantasy that is), however, the game is really a resource management game where you have a certain degree of interaction with your rivals through placement of your minions and the intrigue cards that you can play.Relatively short time to complete so you can easily have two or more sessions at a sitting.There was also quite a variety to each of the games we have

14.5.2014

I was bought this game as a birthday present all of a couple of days ago, and I am already in love with it. Though I was thoroughly beaten by my partner, it was a great game to play. Finally, a game advertising as playable with two players that is actually ENJOYABLE with only two players. I look forward to adding more players as the weeks and years go on!You can tell a lot of thought has gone into the design, from the characters to the box it comes in. Too often you end up with two options with boardgames; 1) the pieces go everywhere and you have to find them in the carpet or in small creature's mouths, or 2) you use endless plastic baggies to store all the components and they all rip to pieces.

29.12.2015

Got this for Christmas and so far have only played it with 3 people but all of us thoroughly enjoyed, regardless of who won.The basic mechanic is that each round (8 rounds in total) the players place their agents one at a time at different locations on the board; these locations each give varied benefits. You are trying to gain the 'adventurers' you need to complete quests, as these give you the points you need to win the game.Completing quests is really the aim of the game (these give the most victory points), but there are a lot of options for how to play and where to put your agents which makes this a lot of fun.

19.4.2016

Outstanding game! Excellent with 4 or 5 players, but also perfectly playable with 2The first thing to note (which is a sad indictment of me) is that the insert for the box is outstanding.....everything fits in its little pocket. Its so satisfying! SorryOkay Lords of Waterdeep is a worker placement game. The little cubes are meant to represent thieves and soldiers n stuff, but what they actually represent is little cubes of different colours. Its okay, every card shows them as little coloured cubes, so its all fine.There is a score track around the outside of the board which gives you an idea of who's winning/losing, but depending on which character you've chosen to be and how many quests you've completed leaves you with lots of hidden points,

11.10.2014

Waterdeep is a perfectly balanced game, quick and easy to learn, yet with plenty of depth to keep you coming back for more.The overall look and feel of the game is fantastic, the artwork is great and the board itself is a thing of beauty. The D&D theme is well developed but not to the extent that it would put off those who aren't into fantasy gaming and the ability to buy buildings and bring them into play helps keep it fresh every time.The use of intrigue cards offers additional subtlety to the play mechanic increasing the level of strategy and replay ability. You should expect a game to last around 1 hour, but you should expect to spend any hours playing as it will keep you coming back for more.

16.10.2012

As a relatively in depth review has already been written by JimmyG on this product I shall avoid recapping the game. I have never previously had much interest in the D&D universe, but such knowledge isn't really required to fully enjoy this game. The artwork is great, the quality of the components is very high and whilst the use of cubes instead of meeples may be a complaint by some I find that the simple coloured cube is sufficient to ensure that everybody knows what is required and doesn't result in people playing the wrong type.I have introduced this game to many of my friends, including a few of their partners who were sceptical at both the D&D setting and the idea of playing a board game in the first place (we're all approaching our 30s I should point out).

2.11.2016

Excellent Gateway game.Pros1 Very versatile game:Can be played with hardcore gamers and casual players at the same table and both will have fun. Easy enough to grasp for the beginner and enough depth for the more experienced gamer.Appeals to a wide age range of players. The box says 12+ but I would say a bright 8 year old would enjoy it too, and all ages right up to adult. Could be played by a family at Christmas or by adults after a dinner party.Plays with a wide range of numbers players. This game is for 2-5 players but unlike a lot of other games, it is good no matter how many are playing, although probably best with 3-4.2 The box inlay design is excellent – every component fits snugly in

25.3.2018

Bought as a gift for a fellow board gamer who had been eyeing this one for ages.Don't worry if like me you're not in to the whole dungeons and dragons thing, the game could actually have anything on the box cover.It's a good introduction to modern board games for anyone wishing to try something other than the old classics you remember from the 70s. Those where you shook a dice and moved around the board, did what it said, then waited whilst everyone else did the same, oh and at some point you'd probably loose all your money and be 'out of the game' then sit around waiting for someone to win.Board games have evolved tremendously over the past 10-20 years and now there are so many it's hard to

10.11.2017

i’m a recent convert to ‘adult’ board games, and enjoy games with strong elements of replayability.Had seen good reviews of this and took the plunge, and haven’t regretted it one bit.Essentially each player is a Lord of Waterdeep with a secret agenda, which generally mean bonus points for completing specific types of quests over others.The game itself plays out in 8 rounds, and sees you deploying your agents to gather resources, earn money, construct buildings, and use your resources to complete quests. Intrigue cards, and a limited number of resources available at any one time lead to conflict and competitiveness amongst the players.After the eight rounds are complete, points are scored,

24.2.2021

Probably one of the best Euro style worker placement games ever made.Bought this game based on recommendations of the board game geek community after asking what would be a good buy.Previously we have enjoyed Stone Age board game.This game is like a streamlined version of Stone Age. With the worker placement and action that placement generates blended into the same action.What’s great is that with purchasing of more buildings the amount of options you can do on your go increases. Plus for those monopoly lovers buildings give owner benefits which is nice.Many worker placement games don’t have too much interaction other than blocking spaces.

Lords of Waterdeep - Reviews

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