Path of Light and Shadow

Take charge of your nation, send troops into battle, unify provinces and ancient kingdoms, and restore the glory that shone in the past. Your decisions count: Will you be a charismatic and merciful leader? Or will you prefer to be cruel and feared? Path of Light and Shadow is an empire building game designed by Travis R. Chance, Nick Little, and Jonathan Gilmour, with illustrations by Beth Sobel. It allows games of 2 to 4 players, from 14 years old, of about 90 minutes.

The central board shows a large map divided into 12 provinces, which players can conquer. Each province belongs to one of 4 kingdoms, based on its type of terrain: in the forest the forest nations have their abode; in the hills, the empire of the Mountain clans; The citizens of the sacred valley reside in the plains and the rivers are controlled by fluvial sovereignty. In addition to the subjects of each kingdom, we find 5 factions that will allow us to improve our hand of cards: the Commons, the Indicated, the Hordes of Zurd, the Halax Guild Lords and the Numerai. Each of these factions is specialized in specific aspects, such as combat or construction, and will serve to focus the strategy that we want to take during the game. Through deck building, area and majority control, and hand management mechanics, players will need to amass more influence than their opponents if they want to win the game.

Path of Light and Shadow unfolds over 3 phases (or years, in the game), each of which has 4 rounds. At the end of each phase, players score influence for the state of their nation. On their turns, players will be able to move their leader across the map and perform a large number of actions. The large number of cards and upgrade options that the game offers us will mean that no two games are ever the same!

The cards in our hand represent the diversity of people in our nation, both from different kingdoms and from different factions. With its combat, defense and work values, we can fight, get new allies or improve structures, which unlock useful powers throughout the game. However, exercising leadership involves making difficult decisions. Depending on how we treat our population, we will gain points of mercy or cruelty, which will be reflected in a morality marker. Depending on our alignment, we can unlock new abilities that can be decisive throughout the game.

Every action has consequences in Path of Light and Shadow, not just in our hand of cards. If the players conquer provinces, it is very possible that during the combat they will cause damage to the structures and that their value in influence points will be less and less. We will have to think very carefully if it is worth taking our soldiers to the battlefield to plant the banner on a pile of rubble and ash.

Develop powerful technologies, forge profitable alliances, and lay siege to rival strongholds to claim the greatest influence on the board. Path of light and shadow cannot be missing from the shelves of lovers of civilization games. All those who are looking for a good challenge and enjoy having a lot of choices at their fingertips to plan and carry out different strategies will find it in this title. Expand your influence and rise to victory!