The heron flies over the Himeji sky, while the Daimio, from the top of the castle, watches his servants move. Gardeners tend to the pond where koi carp inhabit, warriors stand guard on the walls, and courtiers crowd at the gates, yearning for an audience that brings them closer to the inner circles of the court. As night falls, lanterns are lit, and the workers return to their clan.
In the game "The White Castle," players control one of these clans and aim to score more points than the rest. To do this, they must gather influence at the court, manage resources bravely, and place their workers in the right spot at the right time. The action takes place in the most impressive fortress in modern Japan: Himeji Castle, where the banner of the Sakai clan flutters under the command of Daimio Sakai Tadakiyo.
"The White Castle" is a Eurogame where players use resource management, worker placement, and dice placement to perform actions. Throughout the game, players send members of their clan over three rounds to tend the gardens, defend the castle, or advance on the social ladder of the nobility. At the end of the game, these activities reward players with points in various ways.
The central panel showcases Himeji Castle in all its glory, divided into several zones. The largest is inside the castle with the Room of the Thousand Carpets, where the courtiers must rise socially until they reach the circle closest to the Daimio to enjoy his favor. There is also the pond and the gardens, patiently tended by the gardeners, where everyone can relax and admire the beauty without restrictions. Another important area is the wall and the outside of the castle, where the warriors patrol and stand guard. Finally, we find the area with the three bridges, where the three types of dice that can be used to perform actions accumulate, as well as each player’s personal area, where they will keep track of their resources and have a reserve of workers.
