I must say I was anxiously anticipating publication of the fourth game in Levy & Campaign series. First of all, we were promised completely new game mechanics – namely influence – which works both as resource and victory condition. Secondly, the topic – War of the Roses – was a very intriguing as many lords switched their allegiances during the wars and it was simply extremely interesting period for history buff as me.

Now, after several longer and shorter plays of this great position I can share my impressions (probably more than only first ones). I will do it of course presenting the actual session reports, bringing some historical context as well as briefly introducing the series and the actual game. So let us start!

Other Plantagenet Materials:
- First Look at Plantagenet
- War of the Roses replay by Christophe Correia, Part 1
- War of the Roses replay by Christophe Correia, Part 2
- War of the Roses replay by Christophe Correia, Part 3

Game & Series Overview

Levy & Campaign series is quickly becoming one of the fastest developing genres of GMT Games. This is to large extent thanks to Volko, who managed to build a group of devoted designers, developers and simply enthusiast. That allows for simultaneous development of couple of projects, exchange of opinions, testing, etc.

The volumes in this series share similar core systems simulating medieval Levy of armies by individual great Lords and lesser Vassals, equipping of those armies with transport such as Carts and special Capabilities such as crossbowmen, trebuchets, or stonecutters, to name a few. For each Campaign, players then form stacks of Command cards to preset the order that Lords will March, Forage, Siege, and so on. Logistics are key, as Provender must be gathered and moved to Feed Troops in the field or suffer curtailed Lords’ Service and Disband.

But each installment of the series features widely different geographic, cultural, and political settings, each with twists on the core rules to help bring out these differences. In Plantagenet: Cousins’ War for England, 1459 – 1485, already 4th title in the system, we are moved to XV century England where we will be able to witness three episodes for famous Wars of the Roses. Let us see how it all started!

Historical Background

Scene from Shakespeare’s play Henry VI, where supporters of the rival factions pick either red or white roses.

The Wars of the Roses was a series of dynastic conflicts fought between the House of Lancaster and the House of York for control of the English throne in the 15th century. It began in 1455 and lasted until 1487, with intermittent battles and periods of peace. The conflict was characterized by shifting allegiances, with nobles and factions switching sides based on personal ambitions or perceived advantages.

Key battles included Towton (1461), Barnet (1471), and Bosworth Field (1485), where Henry Tudor, representing the Lancastrians, defeated Richard III of the Yorkists, leading to the establishment of the Tudor dynasty. The Wars of the Roses ended with the marriage of Henry VII (a Lancastrian descendant) to Elizabeth of York, uniting the two houses and bringing stability to England.

Session Reports

Playing game extensively gives you a lot of insight into its mechanics and concepts. And when it is yet another title in the series, the entry effort is limited, as you need only to catch-up with the new mechanics.

As every game in the series, Plantagenet comes with many smaller and larger scenarios, allowing you to fully appreciate both brief engagements as well as long, multi-year campaigns. This game is also very solo friendly, so as you shall see below, some of the reports will be for solitaire play.

Enjoy the reports! PS. Remember you can expand on click each picture.

1. Henry VI, 1459-1461 (First War of The Roses, 2 players)

Richard of York and his sons, with the help of Richard Neville and his son, rebel against King Henry VI. This is a longer scenario (15 Turns, three years). As for the sides, Lancastrians are King and Yorkists are Rebel.

The struggle for the English crown started some years ago in 1455, when Richard York and Edmund, Duke of Somerset (father of our in-game Somerset) fought to seize the actual power – Henry VI being a king struck by mental illness. After Henry VI recovered from his bout of catatonia the Queen’s party, led by Somerset, was reinstated to its position of pre-eminence.

Richard York and Warwick, who had held the power during the King’s absence, were lowered again and their influence started to wane. They resisted though, and the growing tensions between the two sides led to an open war. And here we start!

The Wars of the Roses start here! I will lead the rebellious Yorks (York & March) while Kuba will command Lancastrian party (initially Henry VI and Sommerset).
My March was so successful in subduing Wales that Kuba had to do something and approached him with Sommerset. In ensuing battle, despite my advantage (Vassals!) I lost but fortunately March managed to survive.
In the North I set-up a trap for newly Levied Kuba’s lord – Northumberland. Quick approach by York (3 command thanks to Capability) and Lancastrian Lord escaped into exile!
Here comes the Warwick (Kingmaker!) He decided to travel light, with capabilities allowing him to treat Roads as Highways and having Great Ships. Sommerset was significantly weakened after battle with March, so Kuba decided to go into exile.
Kuba decided to act with Henry VI. Most of his lesser lords were dealt with by my forces so only one large battle could turn the tide of war. But at the battle of Newcastle Salisbury and York routed and captured the King!
At that moment Lancastrians surrendered. With one weak lord on map and not very encouraging perspectives they yielded to the successful rebellion!

Summary: that was very fun scenario to play; it started bad for me (March defeated) but then I employed tactics of encroachment and picking lesser lords with superior local force (Northumberland, Sommerset). But the really key decision was to invest in flexible & fast Warwick – only initial forces with him (six units) & Vassals, but fast move on roads and Great Ships to travel on sea.

2. Somerset’s Return, 1463-1464 (2 players)

As the Scots expel Henry VI, Henry Beaufort, Duke of Somerset, turns on Edward IV – a new king seeking to prove himself in the shadow of the mighty Warwick. This is a short scenario (three Turns, eight months). As for the sides, Yorkists are King and Lancastrians are Rebel.

Another play with Kuba; I am again Yorks but this time as legitimate King. Lancastrian side are rebels and has to get Henry VI from exile. And all of this in 3 turns!
While Henry VI moved from exile in Scotland and sailed to Southern England, Warwick and March were busy taking over as many Towns, Cities and Fortresses as possible.
However, when the large host of Henry approached London, Warwick decided for a surprising move to attack first. With smaller regular force but four great vassals what could go wrong? Well, a lot… He was defeated and routed! (Fortunately, survived)
After that unsuccessful battle for Yorks, it was just matter of time for Lancastrian side to accumulate points and win that short scenario.

Summary: another fun scenario – this time very quick and decisive. I still believe that investing into Vassals and attack by Warwick was a good strategy; that it backfired – well, happens. Also, strategy to allow Henry VI wander around with not enough provender helped a lot – but once he was next to London, you had to react.

3. Warwick’s Rebellion, 1469-1471 (Second War of the Roses, solo play)

Slighted by the King he made, Warwick schemes with Edward’s brother, the Duke of Clarence, then allies with Margaret d’Anjou and Lancastrian exiles in France. This is a longer scenario (15 Turns, three years). As for the sides, Yorkists are King and Lancastrians are Rebel.

Second War of the Roses in full swing and rebellion of Kingmaker. That was a solitaire session, played two-hands. I was deciding what are the best command cards for both sides in a turn BUT shuffled them, not to know what their order would be. That proved to be great way for solo play.
Here are main protagonists of that War. Numerically similar but qualitatively there were huge differences. Jasper Tudor and Edward IV with three commands stood out.
Jasper Tudor and Pembroke were positioned form the beginning in a very confrontative way. Well, those Welsh guys 🙂 So it was not a surprise that the former one immediately attacked to take advantage of the situation. Well, it did not work, and Jasper Tudor died! History changed, no Bosworth battle and no Tudor dynasty…
Situation mid-game. Loss of Jasper Tudor was a big set-back for Lancastrian side but not a fatal one. As seen above, Warwick arrived and started to systematically conquer the southern England.
It has to happen. A big showdown between Edward IV and Warwick in Battle of Barnet!
Look at the forces – both are pretty similar, with many Vassals on both sides and useful Capabilities. None of the sides yielded and the battle was fought till the bitter end of Kingmaker. Warwick was defeated by survived and escaped!
Situation at almost the end of the game; in couple of moves Yorks will get enough points to arrive at automatic history.

Summary: that scenario proved how suitable for solo play the Plantagenet can be; really, you do not have to do too much – Levy is usually pretty straightforward, and for campaign – choose the best cards for turn and shuffle them, to randomize the order. As for the result, well this time Warwick’s rebellion did not work out 🙂

4. Bosworth, 22 August 1485 (2 players)

Richard III and Henry Tudor clash in an epic final battle. This is a Battle-only mini-scenario. It does not use the game board (so ignore the map, Calendar, and Influence track). Rather than playing any Turns, just Array Lord mats for a Battle and fight the Battle out for victory. As for the sides, Yorkists are King and Lancastrians are Rebel.

A training scenario – both sides already arrayed for battle (we did this in secret). My rolls were much more fortunate and well, Richard III died as historically accurate 🙂

Summary: that small scenario is good to teach how the battle works; there is a small room for maneuver – choice of capabilities as well as placement of lords in the line. Other than that, you follow the procedure and play till the final result!

First Impressions

All of those were very enjoyable sessions and showed me the game from multiple dimensions – longer scenarios, shorter ones, battle only, multiplayer, solo. Thanks to them I have a good insight into the game mechanics, how they influence each other as well as the flow of the gameplay. So let me share my impressions now:

  • As an ardent supporter and fan of Levy & Campaign system I truly appreciate all the new game mechanics which we are getting in this installment. There are many – and I will create separate material on this – but I have to call-out one immediately. Influence which is both the currency for many actions as well as measure of your victory; it creates constant dilemmas between shot-term gains and long-term investments. You will feel it while playing for sure!
  • The game is very, very thematic. The Wars of the Roses is told in wonderful way, using scenarios, components, mechanics and capabilities which simply make you feel like you actually take part in this story. That narrative allows you to immerse yourself in one of more interesting, medieval conflicts.
  • Hallmark of the series is that we are getting multiple scenarios – of various length, complexity – to familiarize with the game. But here it goes even a step further – all three Wars can be played in campaign style, where result of one directly impacts the next one. Great idea!
  • GMT’s standard for components is remarkably high. Still, Levy & Campaign gets best out of it. Following the example of Nevsky, Almoravid and Inferno, we are getting beautiful map, great cards, nice troop tokens as well as superb player aids. It is such a pleasure to play with them!
  • I love to explore and experience games on my own, before playing with colleagues. So, I am really glad to see how suitable for the solitaire play Plantagenet is. You can play it alone with random campaign cards or you can invite children as great randomizes!
  • You may ask, any drawbacks? Well, I can point definitely one thing – the map, especially in southern part is too small as land gets very crowded with all the tokens and status markers. Not a big issue but definitely an inconvenience.

To sum up, I can wholeheartedly recommend Plantagenet to any fan of Medieval English history – this is a very well designed and developed title. Fans of Levy & Campaign will get some new, unique mechanics which will allow them to feel both familiar and refreshed. Also, if you never played game in this system, that might be good place to start.

See you in another review!