Praga Caput Regni

I finally got my hands on it — second-hand, since my order has still been sitting for nine months at a well-known Greek e-shop. And yes: it is one of those games that, for its price, makes you feel as though you are robbing the game rather than the other way around. Suchý quality, perfection, and an experience that left me with the smile of “I want to play this again immediately.”

At its core, what stayed with me is managing the many bonuses. The game seems to reward you constantly while asking you to keep a clear account of what you gained, what you triggered, and what comes next. That is part of its charm, but also the point where the online version becomes more fiddly: the various bonuses need attention, because handling them does not flow as naturally as I would like.

At the table, by contrast, the flow proved exceptionally friendly. Even with players who had not played it before, the session ran more smoothly than any other game of the three-day gathering. Interaction was not what dominated my impressions; the dominant feeling was that we were all following a substantial euro without getting stuck on its rules or procedures.

For me, it is an easy 10/10, and one of those games I could play in my sleep. It is an honest, feelgood euro, with enough depth to keep you engaged without turning the experience into a chore. And the fact that, at the end, everyone was asking for an immediate rematch says more than any analysis could.

Updated session

The second play not only failed to change my first impression; it reinforced it. On a day with a little burnout, relaxed laptop time, and a mood for something easy in its flow, Praga even beat out the suggestion of a Tigris & Euphrates rematch. Although half the group was new to the game, it played smoothly and left everyone wanting more. Dune will have serious competition at the end of the year.