# Gugong

> Strategic board game simulating gift-giving and power struggles in historical China. (iPhone/iPad app by Gilad Yarnitzky.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gugong/id6476454775 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Gilad Yarnitzky](https://appshunter.io/developer/348818870)
- Category: Games
- Price: $2.99
- Rating: 1.75/5 from 4 App Store ratings · 2 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 13.0 · 124 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2024-01-22
- Data updated: 2026-06-05
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gugong/id6476454775/reviews.md

## What is Gugong?

China, 1570. China is under the reign of the Longqing Emperor, of the Ming Dynasty. He inherited a country in disarray after years of mismanagement and corruption. He resided in the Forbidden city, which was the seat of many emperors under the Ming Dynasty. Constructed from 1406 to 1420, the complex consists of 980 buildings and covers 72 ha (over 180 acres). It is also under the Ming Dynasty that the Great Wall of China was rebuilt, fortified, and expanded. Around this period, China was under heavy attack from the Mongols, so maintaining the Great Wall was essential. Most of what we now have left of the Great Wall, we owe to the Ming dynasty. 

The country was already famous for its very intricate bureaucracy, but this also led to a lot of corruption. Even though the penalties for corruption were very high, the highest Officials of the Forbidden City would pretend to uphold the ban on corruption, by accepting gifts of petitioners, and returning one of seemingly lower value. 

Gugong uses this extraordinary custom as its basis. Players take on the role of powerful Chinese families trying to gain influence and power by exchanging gifts with Officials. The gift cards you offer as a player have to be of a higher value than the one you receive, forcing you to make strategic choices regarding which actions you want to take each turn. You will travel around China, sail down the Grand Canal, purchase precious jade, help construct the Great Wall, secure advantages through decrees, influence the game through intrigue, and ultimately, receive an audience with the emperor.

In this App version of the board game you will play vs. Meng, the solo automata, with three different level of difficulty.  
The App includes a short tutorial which explain the basic concepts of the game to help the player dive in immediately, and a full set of written rules.

## Key features

- Historical setting in Ming Dynasty China
- Strategic gift-exchange mechanics
- Solo play against AI
- Multiple difficulty levels
- In-game tutorial
- Full rulebook included

## Recent user reviews (2 of 2)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gugong/id6476454775/reviews.md

### 2/5 — Some lack of features keeps it from being a mainstay

*2024-01-30*

Some nice things…… There’s a rule book, there’s a tutorial, the bar at the bottom shows whats going on.

Bad things… there’s no way to access the rules during a game.  If you Quit, the session is lost.  It’d be nice if you could long press to bring up a description of what the icons are (especially since you can’t leave he game to look up the rulebook)

### 2/5 — Missing basic functionality

*2024-01-27*

Tiny icons, no way to take back accidnrwlmnutton presses, and if froze up halfway through a game with no recovery option. Waste of $3.

**Developer response:** I'm sorry you found the application experience not good enough.
A screen shot of the freeze could help understand what the problem is and fix it.
We will consider adding an undo feature
Map can be zoomed so icons on the map can be seeing larger

## Frequently asked questions about Gugong

### What is Gugong about?

Gugong is a strategic board game set in 1570s China, where players represent powerful families aiming to gain influence through strategic gift exchanges with officials. The game involves traveling across China, participating in historical events, and navigating a complex bureaucracy.

### Can I play Gugong offline?

Yes, the app version of Gugong allows for solo play against the Meng automata, which can be played offline. This provides a full gameplay experience without requiring an internet connection.

### How challenging is Gugong?

Gugong offers three different levels of difficulty for its solo automata, Meng. This allows players to tailor the challenge to their skill level, from beginner to advanced.

### Is there a tutorial for Gugong?

Yes, the app includes a short tutorial designed to explain the basic concepts of the game. This helps new players dive in immediately and understand the core mechanics.

### What platforms is Gugong available on?

Gugong is available as a mobile application. Specific platform availability (iOS, Android) is not detailed, but it is designed for mobile devices.

### How often is Gugong updated?

The latest version of Gugong is 1.50, and it was last updated on April 11, 2025. This indicates a relatively recent update, suggesting ongoing support and potential for future improvements.

### What is the price of Gugong?

Gugong is a paid application and costs $2.99. This is a one-time purchase price, and no subscription is required to play the game.

### What is the age rating for Gugong?

Gugong has an age rating of 4+. This suggests it is suitable for young children and contains content generally considered appropriate for this age group.

## Version history (last 1 release)

### 1.50 — 2025-04-11

Fix bug when player does not have workers and play grand canal action

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## More apps by Gilad Yarnitzky

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- [Dust in the Wings](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dust-in-the-wings/id1511314878)

All apps by Gilad Yarnitzky: https://appshunter.io/developer/348818870

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-05.*