Valley of the Kings
- Players
- 2-4
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 2 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 45 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 14+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 2.2 / 5
- Year
- 2014
About the game
Valley of the Kings casts players as ancient Egyptian nobles preparing for the afterlife by filling their tombs with treasures, amulets, and offerings. Cards are arranged in a pyramid shape, and purchasing cards near the base causes the pyramid to crumble, bringing higher cards down within reach for future turns. Crucially, cards only score if you actually entomb them, so holding onto powerful cards for their ongoing effects risks losing valuable end-game points. The pyramid resets each round with fresh offerings, keeping the drafting choices dynamic throughout. It's a tight, thematic deckbuilder built around the tension between using cards and banking them for score.
Hobbli's Notes
Hobbli's team loves the entomb-or-use tension at the heart of Valley of the Kings, which sets it apart from typical deckbuilders where more cards always help. The pyramid structure creates satisfying puzzle-like decisions about timing your purchases. Its quick 45-minute playtime and moderate complexity make it approachable while still rewarding thoughtful play. The Egyptian afterlife theme is a nice change of pace from more common deckbuilding settings.
What we like
- Clever entomb-or-use tension differentiates it from typical deckbuilders.
- Pyramid structure creates satisfying timing decisions.
- Quick 45-minute playtime with moderate complexity.
- Unique Egyptian afterlife theme stands out among deckbuilders.
Keep in mind
- Deckbuilding puzzle may feel dry without strong narrative flavor.
- Best at lower player counts; scales less well at 4 players.
- Similar deckbuilders may offer more variable player powers.
Who it's for
Good for teens and adults (12+) who enjoy deckbuilding games with a thematic twist; plays especially well as a two-player game.
