This is an abstract strategy game which reminded me in some ways of
Gobblet
; in as much as it has that abstract strategy feel and a 3D feel...sort of. In reality, we like this one a lot better.
THEME:
> Since this is an abstract strategy game, the theme could have been anything, even the Greek gods that were selected.
+ At the same time, the abilities of the gods in some cases are tied to the god's characteristics (Hermes can move fast), which adds a nice flavor to the game.
COMPONENTS:
+ The board is nice and thick.
+ The base turns the board into an island, which is what Santorini is, an island.
+ The figures are a solid plastic
+ The buildings though light, yet still a solid plastic and should not break with normal use.
> One recommendation is that level 1 and level 2 are often mixed up as players grab for the wrong pile, since the pieces look nearly identical when lying in multiple angles on the table. But if the levels were color coded that doesn't help color blind people, nor keep with the theme where all walls on a building are white-washed. Also, because everything is the same color it is easy for your eye to miss that winning spot and you miss out on winning or miss out on blocking the win. Thus the single color though frustrating could mean a lucky win because things can get missed.
> The cards are over-sized which is fine.
+ The cards have great artwork.
-- The cards are a bit on the thin side. I didn't like handling them much because they don't feel like they are up to normal standards to me. But I can overlook this as you don't have to handle the card much during each game session.
OTHER:
+ The 3D aspect is great and forces you to turn the board around to get a different perspective and hopefully find a new strategy to whatever situation you are in.
+ Each game or round, plays very fast. Our longest was 15-minutes and we played 10-games straight. Then again my son and I don't get analysis paralysis, so we aren't taking forever on our turn.
TIP: If you play with a person who gets analysis paralysis grab the sand timer out of your Pictonary game you no longer play and use that to control how long each player gets; or use a timer on your phone.
STRATEGY/LUCK:
This is all strategy, no luck.
Most of the game revolves around knowing when to or not to leverage your god's power.
And/or baiting your opponent so you block them in somewhere.
And/or making a wall by occupying spaces, so you can work on getting to Level 3, forcing the opponent to take a long way around and hopefully be too late to block.
The only luck is in not missing an opportunity to win or block a win, since the buildings are all white from level 1, 2 and 3.
The part I like best is how each god has a unique ability and requires a very different strategy to use the ability to win and/or block.
OVERALL:
Even the instructions say multiple times this is a 2-player game. Yes there are rules for 3 or 4 player, but it plays best as a 2-player.
Yes 8+ can play this.
The visuals and power variety make for a wonderful abstract strategy game.
sidenote: Coincidently out of our first 15 games, whoever went 1st won 13 times.
We are still testing this, because it doesn't feel like the 1st player has an advantage; it really is only coincidental.
| Model Number | 6039848 |
|---|---|
| Number of Game Players | 2 |
| Number of Pieces | 1 |
| Assembly Required | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Material Type(s) | Plastic |
| Color | Multicolor |
| Release date | 19 August 2018 |
| Mfg Recommended age | 8 - 10 years |
| Item model number | 6039848 |
| Product Dimensions | 5.08 x 26.67 x 26.67 cm; 453.59 Grams |
| ASIN | B01MR7O8ER |
