Between Two Castles: Essential Edition – Build Two Castles, One Winning Strategy

Build magnificent castles, work with your neighbours and try to make both of your creations worthy of royalty in Between Two Castles: Essential Edition by Stonemaier Games. This clever competitive tile-drafting and castle-building game combines strategic planning with partnership play, as you simultaneously help construct two castles with two different players.

The Essential Edition brings the original Between Two Castles of Mad King Ludwig together with the Secrets & Soirees expansion, making it the definitive way to experience this unusual and highly interactive castle-building game.

What Is Between Two Castles?

You are a master builder working for the famously demanding Mad King Ludwig. The catch? You don't build just one castle.

You work with the player on your left to create one castle and with the player on your right to create another. Every turn, you draft two room tiles, reveal them simultaneously and then work with your partners to decide where they belong.

At the end of the game, both castles are scored – but your personal score is based on the lower-scoring castle. That means you can't simply concentrate on your favourite build. You need to balance both partnerships and make sure neither castle is neglected.

How to Play

Each round, draft two room tiles from your hand. Once everyone has chosen, reveal your selections and work with your neighbouring partners to place one tile in each castle.

Different rooms score in different ways, so you'll want to create combinations that maximise your castle's value. The Essential Edition adds Secret Rooms, Specialty Rooms, Royal Attendants and Bonus Cards, giving you even more ways to develop your castles and score points.

At the end of the game, each castle receives a score. Your final score is the lower of your two castles, and the player with the highest final score wins.

Why You'll Love It

• Build two castles simultaneously

• Clever combination of drafting and tile placement

• Work with two different partners every game

• Your lowest castle score determines your final score

• Essential Edition includes Secrets & Soirees

• Plenty of different room types and scoring opportunities

• Includes a dedicated solo Automa mode

• Supports up to 8 players

• Fantastic balance of cooperation and competition

• Great for fans of strategic tile-laying games

Who Is It For?

Between Two Castles: Essential Edition is ideal for players who enjoy medium-weight strategy games involving drafting, tile placement, set collection and tactical planning.

With a 14+ recommendation and a 45–60 minute playing time, it works particularly well for regular game groups and experienced family gamers. The 1–8 player range also makes it unusually flexible, while the solo mode provides an option when you're playing alone.

Main Mechanics

Tile Drafting: Select the rooms you want while anticipating what other players may take.

Tile Placement: Build castles by combining rooms into effective layouts.

Set Collection: Match room types and combinations to maximise scoring.

Simultaneous Selection: Everyone chooses their tiles before revealing them.

Partnership: Work with the players beside you while still competing individually.

Highest-Lowest Scoring: Your final score is determined by your weaker castle, encouraging balanced play.

Games Like Between Two Castles

If you enjoy Between Two Cities, Castles of Mad King Ludwig, Carcassonne, Kingdomino, Cascadia or other tile-laying and drafting games, Between Two Castles is a fascinating next step.

It's particularly good for players who enjoy building games with interaction, where you need to cooperate with other players without giving them too much of an advantage.

Game Information

The current UK edition was released in March 2025.

What's Included?

• 194 Regular Room Tiles

• 16 Secret Room Tiles

• 64 Specialty Room Tiles

• 8 Throne Room Tiles

• 48 Regular Room Type Tokens

• 28 Royal Attendants

• 28 Bonus Cards

• 8 Player Aid Cards

• 8 Wooden Castle Tokens

• Scorepad

• Solo Automa components

• Rulebook

FAQ

How many people can play Between Two Castles: Essential Edition?
The game supports 1–8 players, including a solo mode.

What age is Between Two Castles for?
The current edition is recommended for ages 14+.

How long does it take to play?
A game takes approximately 45–60 minutes.

What is included in the Essential Edition?
The Essential Edition combines the original game and Secrets & Soirees expansion into a single box.

Is Between Two Castles cooperative?
No. It is a competitive game, although you collaborate with the players on either side to build your castles. Your final score depends on your weaker castle.

Can you play Between Two Castles solo?
Yes. The Essential Edition includes Automa components for solo play.

Buy Between Two Castles: Essential Edition from Roll The Dice Cornwall

Build two castles, balance two partnerships and make sure neither one becomes the weak link! Between Two Castles: Essential Edition is a wonderfully clever Stonemaier Games strategy game combining tile drafting, castle building and competitive partnership play.

With the original game and Secrets & Soirees together in one box, it's an excellent choice for fans of tile-laying, drafting and strategic board games.

Add Between Two Castles: Essential Edition to your collection from Roll The Dice Cornwall and start building your royal masterpieces!