The pillars of the earth is a good strategy game, and a good nod to the book for those who read and loved. The downside in my opinion: the strategic aspect really makes sense to 4 players; 2-player (I also bought this game because it allowed duet parts), there are enough cards and interesting choice for the strategic dimension disappears in favor of chance, in my opinion the making least interesting part. So I would give this game 4 stars when it plays 3-4 players, but only 3 stars to 2 players, for the above reason. ++: The plateau is quite beautiful aesthetically :)