The Architect

About this game

The solo, card laying game, for lovers of architecture aged 10 and over, by Charles Ward. SUMMARY Complete the plan for a luxurious mansion, maximise the layout, and comply with 3 simple design principles. GAMEPLAY Having set aside the 2 external doors cards, the player will draw 1 card at a time and place it on, under, or next to other cards, in either orientation, covering all or part of the existing cards to create a floor plan. The floor plan must connect 2 external doors via a corridor (described as a very long room) with doors leading off to rooms. Each room scores you one point. But each penalty subtracts one point. The 3 design principles that cause a penalty are: doors that open onto walls, missing walls (making a room or corridor open to the outside world), and rooms that are inaccessible.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 1 to 4. It has a designed solo mode.
• Rules load. At 2.0/5 this is a mid-weight game — expect a proper rules explanation before you start.
• Age. The publisher suggests 10 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.