Phanalnx's Huang board game coverage.
Image: Phalanx

The prolific designer that is Reiner Knizia has creativity that knows no bounds. Born in 1957 in Germany, the man has authored thousands of games that are some of the most played titles to this very day. The Quest for ell Dorado, My City, Tigris & Euphrates, Modern Art, Yellow & Yangtze, Indigo, and tons of others are just some of the titles that the man has crafted in the busy workshop of his imagination.

Now, Knizia’s latest – or one thereof – game, Huang, is confirmed for a retail release on October 5, 2023. Huang is de facto a new version of the 2018 board game Yellow & Yangtze, and this in turn is a sequel to another brilliant game by the developer, Tigris & Euphrates. Knizia’s latest installment in the series makes sure to retain the original rules and mechanics of Yellow & Yangtze making for an easy onboarding onto the next game.

The game’s plot will focus on a time of great upheaval in Ancient China, with the players setting out to lead a kingdom through the Warring States of the country and emerge victorious. 

Lead Your Clan to Victory in Warring BC China 

There are all sorts of leaders you can choose, as well, specializing in Governor, Soldier, Farmer, Trader, and Artisan characters to succeed. Each of these leaders will help guide and develop a player’s civilization, with players earning points based on their achievements within the confines of their specific objectives and the game’s broader missions. 

Huang brings a beautiful hexagonal and colorful player board with the game harking you back to 475-221 BC when the rival states of Qin, Chi, Qi, Yan, Han, Wei, and Zhao set out to conquer China and subjugate rival leaders and their followers.

The game comes with plenty in the box, including a double-sided board, 138 tiles, 9 pagoda standees, 20 leader standees, 150 victor point markets, 4 screens, a unification marker, a bag, and of course a rule book. The game offers plenty of strategic depth and it is a 3 out of 5 on the complexity ranking. The miniatures featured are beautiful and evocative and you will need 90 minutes to complete the game for 2-5 players.

The Gamefound campaign of the game raised around $405,000 from 2433 backers. Many more people will most likely be buying this game from retail later this year.

Stoyan Todorov

Stoyan entered the hobby over seven years ago and his collection has been growing at a pace his spouse has described as “concerning.” Willing to push the boundaries of the connubial bliss to its extremes, Stoyan is here to bring you the latest updates and developments from the world of board games.

Stoyan entered the hobby over seven years ago and his collection has been growing at a pace his spouse has described as “concerning.” Willing to push the boundaries of the connubial bliss to its extremes, Stoyan is here to bring you the latest updates and developments from the world of board games.