Baghdad: The City of Peace
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- Designer Fabio Lopiano , Nestore Mangone
- Publisher Alley Cat Games
- Illustration Roland MacDonald
The description, FAQ and assessments for this game were generated with the help of artificial intelligence from the game data and reviewed editorially. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
What to Expect
You play as a Vizier in Baghdad's Golden Age, moving your Vizier on a circular city board to collect scientific equipment, teach students and translate works. Each turn you play a card and push another out of your tableau to trigger its ability, building icon sets to unlock stronger actions. Shared objectives like constructing the Golden Palace, filling the House of Wisdom and sending ships on the Tigris shape the game. Scoring comes from Night Characters, Artefacts, Favour and Shame tokens.
Who Is This Game For?
Aimed at experienced players who enjoy thematic, medium-to-high complexity euros; recommended age is 14+. With a playtime around 120 minutes it suits extended game sessions and benefits from some prior experience. A solo mode exists and the game supports 1–4 players.
How It Works
Core gameplay is programmed hand management: play a card and slide another from your tableau to activate it. A mega-rondel governs Vizier movement and available actions. Worker-placement elements appear when using city locations. The interplay of card management, rondel planning and set-building shapes short- and long-term decisions.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Fabio Lopiano and Nestore Mangone, the game mixes city-building theme with rondel and hand-management mechanics. According to the data it’s part of the Cities: Baghdad (Iraq) family and the Deluxe edition includes the Golden Age Expansions. The blend of large rondel navigation and tableau card play is its distinctive feature.
Pro
- Strong thematic setting in Baghdad’s Golden Age
- Mixes Hand Management, Rondel and Worker Placement
- Supports solo play (1–4 players)
- Tableau-based card play with set-building depth
Contra
- Long playtime (~120 minutes) requires commitment
- Mechanically denser, with a learning curve
Setting & atmosphere
Set in Baghdad’s Golden Age, the game focuses on scholarly work, teaching and urban development in a medieval Arabian context. Specific objectives named in the description include building the Golden Palace and the House of Wisdom.
Tips for beginners
Focus first on understanding the rondel movement and tableau interactions; plan actions a few steps ahead without relying on concrete card plays.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play this solo?
Yes. The game supports a solo mode and is listed for 1–4 players.
How long does a game really take?
The listed duration is about 120 minutes; expect longer time for first plays due to explanation and learning.
What prior experience do I need?
Experience with mechanics like Hand Management and Rondel is helpful because the game involves layered interactions.
How does this compare to similar games?
Its combination of a large rondel and tableau-based hand management sets it apart from pure worker-placement or pure deckbuilding titles.
Is this suitable for families?
Given the 120-minute playtime and complexity, it’s better suited to older family members (14+) and experienced groups.
What mechanic makes it special?
The programmed hand management together with a mega-rondel defines the core experience.
Fazit
Baghdad: The City of Peace is recommended for experienced groups who appreciate 120-minute planning-heavy games; solo and multiplayer plays are supported. It is less suited for players seeking quick family games.
Baghdad: The City of Peace at your next game night?
Add Baghdad: The City of Peace to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
Add Baghdad: The City of Peace to my collectionAlready have an account? Log in
