Mercado de Lisboa (2021) Board Game

Mercado de Lisboa is a board game designed by Vital Lacerda and Julián Pombo, and published by Eagle-Gryphon Games in in 2021. The game is set in the bustling market of Lisbon, Portugal, where players take on the roles of vendors trying to build the most successful market stalls. With a mix of area majority, worker placement, and tile placement mechanics, Mercado de Lisboa offers a strategic and engaging gameplay experience.

Game Components of Mercado de Lisboa

Game Board: A 5 x 5 grid representing the Lisbon Market.

Stand Tokens: Wooden tokens in different colors for each player.

Restaurant Tokens: Round tokens for restaurants.

Customer Tiles: Tiles that enter the market, one at the end of each row and column.

Euro Coins: Used for tracking players’ money, kept behind a screen.

Queen Variant Card: Included in some editions for compatibility with the parent game, *Lisboa*.

How To Setup Mercado de Lisboa

To set up the game, each player chooses a color of wooden tokens to represent their stands. Each player starts with one Euro coin placed behind a screen. The game board is laid out, and customer tiles are placed at the end of each row and column. Players then begin placing their stands and restaurants strategically on the board.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Tile Placement: Players place stands and restaurants on the board.

Customer Management: Players bring customers to their stands to earn money.

Spatial Competition: Shared space where players draw from the same pool of components.

Hidden Money: Players’ money is kept hidden behind a screen, adding an element of unpredictability.

Objective: Become the wealthiest entrepreneur by strategically placing stands, restaurants, and attracting customers.

Player Experience

**Mercado de Lisboa** offers a engaging and strategic experience. The game is easy to learn but hard to master, making it accessible to new players while still challenging experienced gamers. The game dynamics change significantly with the number of players; two-player games are more tactical and predictable, while four-player games are more chaotic and demand flexibility. The hidden money mechanism keeps players guessing until the end, making the final reveal exciting and unpredictable.

Pros

Simple Rules: Easy to teach and learn.

Deep Strategy: Offers complex decision-making despite simple rules.

Replayability: High replay value due to variable customer tiles and hidden money.

Short Playtime: Quick games lasting 30-45 minutes.

Solo Mode: Includes a solid solo mode for solo players.

Cons

Thematic Disconnect: Some mechanics do not align perfectly with the market theme (e.g., installing restaurants is free, while stands cost money).

Luck Factor: Customer tile draws can introduce luck, affecting strategy.

Player Count Issues: Four-player games can be less balanced, with the fourth player potentially at a disadvantage.

Personal Thoughts on Mercado de Lisboa

**Mercado de Lisboa** is ideal for players seeking a game that balances simplicity with depth. It is a great introduction to more complex board games for new players and serves as a satisfying ‘filler’ game for experienced gamers. The game’s short playtime and strategic elements make it a versatile addition to any board game collection. However, it may not stand out in a crowded field of light to medium-weight games for some players, particularly those looking for more thematic coherence or innovation.

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