Lisboa is a strategic board game that was designed by Vital Lacerda and published by Eagle-Gryphon Games in in 2017. Set in the reconstruction of the great city of Lisbon after the earthquake of 1755, players take on the roles of influential nobles who are vying for power and influence in the city.
Game Components of Lisboa
Multi-use cards: Players have a hand of five cards that can be used for various actions.Game board: Divided into two main parts, one for actions and the other for rubble and street locations.Player boards: Double-layered and large, accommodating meeples, rubble cubes, and houses.Rubble cubes: Randomly placed at the start, affecting the cost of building actions.Goods tokens: Gold, cloths, books, and tools.Noble cards: Each noble has specific requirements and actions.Decree cards: Enhance endgame scoring.Public building tokens: Used for constructing and utilizing public buildings.Ships and treasury tokens: Reflecting economic growth.Influence tokens and Royal Favor tiles: For interacting with nobles and performing actions.
How To Setup Lisboa
Setting up Lisboa involves several steps:
Place the game board in the middle of the playing area.Shuffle and deal five multi-use cards to each player.Randomly distribute rubble cubes on the board, affecting the cost of building actions.Prepare the noble cards, decree cards, and public building tokens.Each player sets up their double-layered player board.Determine the starting player.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Mechanics
Card drafting and multi-use cards: Players choose from their hand to perform actions.Area control: Building stores and public buildings to control streets.Set collection: Collecting sets of rubble and goods.Tile placement: Clearing rubble and placing building tokens.Resource management: Managing goods, money, and influence.
Game Objective
The goal is to rebuild the city economically by clearing rubble, building stores and public buildings, and collecting goods and decrees.Players aim to maximize their endgame score through strategic decisions and resource management.
Player Experience
Lisboa offers a deeply strategic and complex gaming experience. Each turn involves making intricate decisions about where to play cards, whether to interact with nobles, build new structures, or collect resources. The game keeps other players engaged through the option to follow another player’s main action, adding a layer of interactivity. The game is divided into two identical periods, each ending under specific conditions such as collecting sets of rubble or depleting card piles.
Pros
Deep strategy: Multiple layers of decision-making and planning.High replayability: Variable setup and complex interactions ensure unique games.Thematic integration: The game’s mechanics closely align with the historical theme of rebuilding Lisbon.Premium components: High-quality cards, boards, and tokens enhance the gaming experience.
Cons
Complex rules: The rulebook is extensive, and teaching the game can take up to 45 minutes.Long gameplay: Games can extend beyond the listed 60-120 minutes, especially with more players.Space requirements: The large game board and player boards require a substantial playing area.
Personal Thoughts on Lisboa
Lisboa is a masterpiece for heavy gamers who enjoy complex, strategic gameplay. It is not for beginners, given its intricate rules and long setup time. However, for those willing to invest the time and effort, Lisboa offers a rich and rewarding experience that challenges players to make optimal decisions in a historically themed setting. If you appreciate games with deep mechanics, high replayability, and a strong thematic integration, Lisboa is an excellent choice.
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