Board games have become increasingly popular in recent years, with many gamers seeking new games to add to their collections. One game that has gained a lot of attention is Splendor. This strategy game has won numerous awards for its elegant mechanics and engaging gameplay. This article will explore 10 board games like Splendor, providing detailed overviews and explanations of each game and how it relates to Splendor.
Whether you are a fan of Splendor or simply looking for new board games, this article will provide plenty of options to explore. So without further ado, let’s dive into the world of board games and discover what other gems await us.
What is Splendor?
Splendor is a strategy game for 2-4 players ages ten and up. The game aims to be the first player to reach 15 prestige points by purchasing and collecting gemstones. Players take turns gathering gems, buying development cards, and reserving cards for a later purchase. The game is won through careful planning, strategy, and luck.
The mechanics of Splendor are relatively simple, but the game offers a lot of depth and replayability. Players can take gemstones from a shared pool or face-up cards on the table each turn. The gemstones come in four colors – blue, green, red, and white – and players can use them to purchase development cards worth prestige points and offer bonuses that can help players acquire gems more efficiently. Some development cards also have gemstone costs, which players must pay to acquire.
Splendor is a game that rewards careful planning and strategy, as players must balance their desire for gemstones with their need to acquire development cards. Additionally, players must watch their opponents, as the competition for resources and development cards can be fierce.
Board Games like Splendor
If you’re a fan of Splendor and looking for more games that offer a similar experience, you’re in luck! Several other board games share similar mechanics and themes with Splendor. In this section, we’ll introduce you to ten games you might enjoy if you’re a fan of Splendor.
Each game has its unique twist on the basic mechanics of Splendor, so whether you’re looking for a game that’s a bit simpler or more complex, there’s something here for everyone. Let’s take a closer look at each of these games and see what they have to offer.
1. Azul
Azul is a strategy game for 2-4 players designed by Michael Kiesling and released in 2017. The game shares some similarities with Splendor, such as the use of tiles as game pieces and the goal of earning points to win the game. The game is set in Portugal during the 16th century, and players take on the role of artisans tasked with creating the most beautiful tilework for the Royal Palace.
In Azul, players take turns drafting tiles from a central pool and placing them on their player boards. Players can only select one type of tile in each round, and any excess tiles are placed in a communal discard pile. Players who fill rows and columns on their board earn points for completing patterns and bonus points for completing entire rows or columns. The game ends when one player completes a certain number of rows on their board, and the player with the most points at the end of the game wins.
Azul is excellent for players who enjoy tile-laying games and puzzle-like mechanics. The game is easy to learn but offers a lot of depth and strategy, as players must carefully manage their tile selections and anticipate their opponent’s moves. If you’re a fan of Splendor and looking for a game with a similar feel but a different theme and mechanics, Azul is worth checking out.
2. Century: Spice Road
Century: Spice Road is a strategy game for 2-5 players designed by Emerson Matsuuchi and released in 2017. The game is set in the 15th century, and players are spice traders traveling the famous Silk Road. Like Splendor, the game involves collecting and trading resources to earn points and achieve victory.
In Century: Spice Road, players start with a set of basic resource cards and a few spice cards, which they can use to gain other resources or trade for victory points. The game is won by the player who first reaches a certain number of victory points earned through trading and acquiring spice cards. Players can also receive additional resources and spice cards by visiting marketplaces on the board or trading with other players.
Century: Spice Road is an excellent game for players who enjoy resource management and trading mechanics. The game is easy to learn but offers a lot of depth and strategy. Players must balance their desire for victory points with their need to acquire and trade resources.
3. Ticket to Ride
Ticket to Ride is a strategy game for 2-5 players designed by Alan R. Moon and released in 2004. The game is set in the early 1900s, and players are railway barons competing to build the most extensive rail network across North America. Like Splendor, the game involves collecting cards and completing sets to achieve victory.
In Ticket to Ride, players start with train cards and use them to claim routes on the board, representing different railway lines across the continent. Players can also collect destination tickets, which give them bonus points for connecting specific cities on the board. The game is won by the player who has the most points at the end of the game, which are earned through claiming routes and completing destination tickets.
Ticket to Ride is great for players who enjoy route-building and set-collection mechanics. The game is easy to learn but offers a lot of depth and strategy. Players must carefully balance their desire for specific routes with their ability to claim them before their opponents.
4. San Juan
San Juan is a strategy game for 2-4 players designed by Andreas Seyfarth and released in 2004. The game is set in Puerto Rico during the age of Caribbean ascendancy, and players take on the role of governors overseeing the development of the city of San Juan. Like Splendor, the game involves resource management and building to earn victory points.
In San Juan, players start with cards representing different buildings and resources, which they can use to develop their city and gain victory points. Each turn, players select a role that determines which actions they can take, such as producing goods, constructing buildings, or trading resources. The game is won by the player who has the most victory points at the end of the game, which are earned through building and developing their city.
San Juan is an excellent game for players who enjoy resource management and building mechanics. The game is easy to learn but offers a lot of depth and strategy, as players must carefully manage their resources and choose the suitable buildings to construct in order to gain the most victory points.
5. Imhotep
Imhotep is a strategy game for 2-4 players designed by Phil Walker-Harding and released in 2016. The game is set in ancient Egypt, and players take on the role of builders competing to construct monuments and gain the pharaoh’s favor. Like Splendor, the game involves resource management and strategic decision-making.
In Imhotep, players start with a set of stone cubes, which they use to construct different structures on the board, such as pyramids, temples, and obelisks. With each turn, players choose which type of structure to build and where to place their stone cubes, earning victory points for each completed structure. The game is won by the player who has the most victory points at the end of the game.
Imhotep is excellent for players who enjoy resource management and strategic decision-making mechanics. The game is easy to learn but offers a lot of depth and strategy. Players must carefully plan their moves and anticipate their opponents’ actions to gain victory points.
6. Jaipur
Jaipur is a strategy game for 2 players designed by Sébastien Pauchon and released in 2009. The game is set in the bustling marketplace of Jaipur, where players take on the role of traders competing to become the Maharaja’s traders by earning the most wealth. Like Splendor, the game involves set collection and resource, management mechanics.
In Jaipur, players take turns collecting and exchanging cards representing different goods, such as spices, textiles, and gems. Players can also sell goods to earn money, which can be used to buy camels or more goods. The game is won by the player with the most wealth at the end of each round, which is earned through collecting valuable sets of goods and selling them for a profit.
Jaipur is a great game for players who enjoy set collection and resource management mechanics, focusing on fast-paced gameplay and player interaction. The game is easy to learn but offers a lot of depth and strategy, as players must carefully choose which cards to collect and when to sell them to gain the most wealth. If you’re a fan of Splendor and looking for a game with a similar feel but designed for two players and with a different theme and mechanics, Jaipur is worth checking out.
7. Shifting Stones
Shifting Stones is a strategy game for 1-5 players released by Gamewright in 2020. While the game doesn’t have direct similarities with Splendor, it does share some mechanics, such as resource management and strategic decision-making. The game involves tile-laying and pattern-building mechanics, where players take on the role of ancient druids competing to build mystical patterns of stones on the game board.
Players are presented with nine enigmatic tiles arranged in a grid amidst rugged ruins. Their task is to reposition the tiles to correspond with one or more patterns they hold. Players must strategize to obtain the highest score in Shifting Stones! The challenge is that you must forfeit a card each time you exchange or flip a tile.
Shifting Stones is a great game for players who enjoy tile-laying and pattern-building mechanics, focusing on strategic decision-making and anticipating their opponents’ moves. Players must carefully plan their moves and adapt their strategy based on the tiles they draw and the patterns their opponents are creating. The game is easy to learn but offers a lot of depth and design.
8. Archaeology: The New Expedition
Archaeology: The New Expedition is a card game for 2-5 players designed by Phil Walker-Harding and released in 2016. The game is set in archaeology, where players take on the role of explorers racing to uncover ancient treasures and artifacts. Like Splendor, the game involves set collection and resource, management mechanics.
In Archaeology: The New Expedition, players take turns drawing and playing cards to collect sets of valuable artifacts and treasures. The game is won by the player who has the most valuable collection of artifacts and treasures at the end of the game, which is earned through collecting sets and trading with other players.
Archaeology: The New Expedition is a great game for players who enjoy set collection and resource management mechanics, focusing on exploring and discovering ancient treasures. Players must carefully choose which cards to collect and when to trade them to earn the most valuable collection. The game is easy to learn but offers a lot of depth and strategy.
9. Machi Koro
Machi Koro is a board game for 2-4 players designed by Masao Suganuma and released in 2012. The game involves city-building and resource management mechanics, where players are city mayors competing to build the most prosperous city. Like Splendor, the game collects resources to build an economy and purchase more powerful cards.
In Machi Koro, players take turns rolling dice to earn income from their city’s businesses and landmarks, which they can use to purchase new buildings and developments. Each building has a unique ability that can benefit the player differently, such as earning more income, stealing from other players, or manipulating the dice rolls. The player who builds all four of their landmarks first wins the game.
Machi Koro is a great game for players who enjoy city-building and resource management mechanics, focusing on strategic decision-making and manipulating the game’s mechanics to gain an advantage. The game is easy to learn but offers a lot of depth and replayability, as players can choose different building combinations and strategies to try and win.
10. Imperial Settlers
Imperial Settlers is a card game for 1-4 players designed by Ignacy Trzewiczek and released in 2014. Like Splendor, the game consists of collecting resources and building an economy to purchase more powerful cards. The game involves resource management and building mechanics, where players take on the role of different civilizations competing to develop the most prosperous empire.
Each civilization has unique abilities and cards that can be used to gain an advantage over other players. In Imperial Settlers, players take turns playing cards from their hands to gather resources and construct buildings, which can grant them additional abilities and points. The game is won by the player with the most points at the end of the game.
Imperial Settlers is a great game for players who enjoy resource management and building mechanics, with a focus on strategy and player interaction. The game offers a lot of depth and replayability, as players can choose different civilizations and card combinations to try and win. If you’re a fan of Splendor and looking for a game with a similar economic feel but a different theme and gameplay, Imperial Settlers is worth checking out.
Best Board Games Like Splendor Conclusion
In conclusion, if you enjoy playing Splendor and are looking for other board games with similar mechanics and gameplay, there are many great options. Azul, Century: Spice Road, Ticket to Ride, San Juan, Imhotep, Jaipur, Shifting Stones, Archaeology: The New Expedition, Machi Koro, and Imperial Settlers are all excellent games that involve collecting resources, building up an economy, and purchasing more powerful cards.
You may find a new favorite game to add to your collection! Whether you prefer city-building, resource management, or card drafting, a game on this list will appeal to you. Each game on this list has its unique theme and mechanics, but they all share some similarities with Splendor. So why try some of these games and see which ones you like the best?