Rescue the Royals: The Palace
Embark on an epic adventure to rescue your royal family from the treacherous Palace grounds. Outwit opponents, navigate dangerous terrain, and harness magical powers to save your King and Queen from their captors.
Game Overview
Objective: Be the first player to return your Token, King, and Queen to your Home Palace to claim victory!
This strategic race game combines card play, board navigation, and tactical decision-making. Players must complete two distinct journeys: first to rescue the King from the Jail, then to save the Queen from the Dragon’s Lair. But beware—exact landing is required to succeed, and one wrong move could set you back!
Game Poster
Available Versions
🖨️ Print & Play: Download the complete rulebook and print the game board. Get started with just standard playing cards and coins for tokens!
🎲 Physical Board Game: Premium components coming soon! Beautifully crafted board, custom cards, and exclusive tokens.
How to Play
Setup
- 2-4 Players (requires 3-5 decks of playing cards depending on player count)
- Each player gets one Ace (Key), King, and Queen matching their suit
- Place your token at your suit’s starting position in the center circle
- Place opponent’s cards face-up at designated Enemy Territory locations
Each Turn (3 Steps)
Step 1: Draw
Take 3 cards from the shared Draw Pile (numbered 2-10 only).
Step 2: Move
Choose 2 of your 3 cards. Subtract the lower from the higher (e.g., 10 – 3 = 7 spaces). Move your token that many spaces following the map’s arrows. You can discard all 3 cards to skip moving if the count doesn’t help.
Step 3: Bank (Level Up)
Place your 3rd card into a Level Slot to build toward power-ups. Complete levels in order:
- Level 1: Two identical numbers of different suits
- Level 2: Three consecutive numbers of different suits (e.g., 4, 5, 6)
- Level 3: Three consecutive numbers all matching your suit (unlocks Dragon’s Lair)
The Two Rescue Journeys
Journey 1: Rescue the King
- Find the Key: Navigate to any Key Symbol location and take your Ace card
- Unlock the Jail: Travel to the Prison matching your suit
- Exact Landing Required: You must land exactly on the Prison space to rescue your King
- Return Home: Bring your King back to your Home Palace before starting Journey 2
Journey 2: Save the Queen
- Reach Level 3: Complete your Level 3 card set to gain Dragon’s Lair access
- Slay the Dragon: Navigate to the Dragon’s Lair (only possible with Level 3 Access)
- Save the Queen: Land exactly on the Dragon’s Lair to rescue your Queen
- Final Victory: Return to your Home Palace with the Queen to win!
Winning Condition
The first player to return their token, King, and Queen to their Home Palace (the castle icon matching their suit) is declared the Grand Winner! Remember: you must land exactly on the Palace space to officially win.
Game Components Needed (Print & Play)
- 3-5 standard decks of playing cards (depending on player count)
- Player tokens (coins, buttons, or custom pieces)
- Printed game board (4 pieces assembled into complete Palace grounds)
- Printed rulebook
Quick Start Tips
- Plan your card usage ahead—don’t discard carelessly
- Build your levels strategically while moving toward key locations
- Watch for “exact landing” requirements to avoid overshooting
- Your battle is against the Palace map, not just other players—focus on your own path
- In multiplayer games, the race continues even after the first winner returns
Ready to Play?
Gather your cards and tokens, and prepare for an epic adventure across the Palace grounds. Good luck, hero—the royals are counting on you!
A Dragon Production 