Virgin Queen 2nd. Printing (engl.)

Description

Virgin Queen 2nd. Printing (engl.) is a strategy game for 2 to 6 players aged 12+ with a playing time of 420 minutes. Players engage in grand strategy during the religious and political conflicts of late 16th century Europe, controlling major powers like Spain and England. The game features streamlined religion rules, oceanic expeditions, diplomatic influence, espionage, and multiple scenarios including a tutorial and full campaign.

Virgin Queen: Wars of Religion 1559-1598 is a grand strategy game for two to six players set during the military, political, and religious conflicts that shaped Europe under Elizabeth I of England and Philip II of Spain. Players take control of one or more of the major powers influencing European politics at the time. Spain stands as a dominant force, drawing on the vast wealth of its global empire, yet faces numerous threats: the Ottoman advance in the Mediterranean, English raids on overseas possessions, and Protestant uprisings in the Netherlands. Catholic allies provide uncertain support, while France’s internal religious wars and the shifting loyalties within the Holy Roman Empire create further challenges. The six playable powers in Virgin Queen are intricately designed to reflect these complex dynamics. Virgin Queen is the sequel to Here I Stand, covering the preceding forty years from the Reformation through the abdication of Charles V. Fans of Here I Stand will recognize many familiar elements, as over half of the original rules remain unchanged. However, new systems highlight the specific nature of late 16th-century conflicts:

• Religion: Simplified mechanics for religious conversion and rebellion reflect the entrenched Catholic and Protestant presence, allowing swift resolution of these actions.
• World Map: Oceanic expeditions are now directly controlled by players as they navigate to the Caribbean and beyond to seize plunder, establish colonies, and attempt circumnavigation.
• Diplomatic Influence: A unified system enables players to buy influence with minor powers and activate major powers when fewer than six players participate.
• Weddings: The secret negotiation phase returns with a new focus on arranging marriages for royal dynasties, influencing alliances and intrigues—will even the Virgin Queen herself marry or reject suitors?
• Patronage: Players may sponsor notable figures such as Galileo, Cervantes, and Shakespeare or invest in other courtly endeavors aimed at advancing their realms.
• Espionage: Reflecting the darker side of the era, players can deploy spies, assassins, cryptologists, and Jesuit priests on covert missions to gain advantage and spread conversion.

Several scenarios offer flexible gameplay options tailored to the number of players and available time:

• 2-Player Tutorial: A 90-minute introduction featuring the Ottomans versus Spain during the Siege of Malta and Battle of Lepanto, using a simplified ruleset for quick learning.
• Campaign Scenario: The full-length experience lasting approximately eight hours and played with four to six players (variant rules allow two or three players). This scenario extends up to seven turns, offering deep strategic play.
• Armada Scenario: Focused on turns three to six of the campaign, this shorter 4–5 hour game is suitable for tournament play and supports four to six players.

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