Century: Spice Road
Century: Spice Road at your next game night?
Add Century: Spice Road to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
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- Designer Emerson Matsuuchi
- Publisher Plan B Games , ABACUSSPIELE , Arclight Games , asmodee , Belleville (Бельвіль)
- Illustration Chris Quilliams , David Richards , Fernanda Suárez
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
In Century: Spice Road, you play as a caravan leader traveling the Silk Road to deliver spices and gain fame. Each turn, you perform one of four actions: establish trade routes by taking market cards, trade or harvest spices by playing cards, fulfill orders to earn victory points, or rest to retrieve your played cards. The game ends when a player claims their fifth victory point card, and the one with the most points wins.
Who Is This Game For?
Century: Spice Road is a family-friendly game suitable for 2 to 5 players aged 8 and up. With a playtime around 45 minutes, it offers accessible strategy without deep complexity, making it ideal for casual and family gaming groups.
How It Works
Players take turns choosing one of four actions: taking a market card to set up trade routes, playing cards to trade or harvest spices, fulfilling contracts by meeting victory point requirements, or resting to retrieve all played cards. The game features mechanics like Action Retrieval, Deck Building, Contracts, and Hand Management, creating an engaging blend of resource optimization and tactical decision-making.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Emerson Matsuuchi, Century: Spice Road won the 2017 Golden Geek Best Card Game award. It is the first in a trilogy exploring centuries through spice trading and stands out for combining deck-building and hand management with a historical Silk Road theme.
Awards
2017
- 2017 Fairplay À la carte Runner-up — Nominated
- 2017 Gouden Ludo Best Family Game — Nominated
Pro
- Simple rules with strategic depth through hand and deck management
- Quick playtime around 45 minutes suitable for family game nights
- Historical Silk Road theme adds immersive context
- Winner of the 2017 Golden Geek Best Card Game
Contra
- No solo mode available, requires at least two players
- Limited complexity for experienced gamers
- May lose appeal after repeated plays
Setting & atmosphere
The game is set in the 15th century, focusing on the spice trade along the historic Silk Road. Players act as caravan leaders transporting exotic spices across continents.
Tips for beginners
Focus on efficiently using your hand of cards and plan actions to build a strong trade route.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play this solo?
Century: Spice Road is designed for two to five players and does not support solo play.
How long does a game really take?
A typical game lasts about 45 minutes, making it suitable for a quick but tactical session.
What prior experience do I need?
As a family game, Century: Spice Road requires no special prior experience.
How does this compare to similar games?
It uniquely combines deck building and hand management with a historical theme, distinguishing it from other card games.
Is this suitable for families?
Yes, it is suitable for ages 8 and up and features family-friendly mechanics.
What mechanic makes it special?
Key mechanics include Action Retrieval, Deck Building, and Hand Management.
Fazit
Century: Spice Road is highly recommended for families and casual players seeking a strategic yet accessible card game. It may be less appealing for expert gamers due to its moderate complexity.
Century: Spice Road at your next game night?
Add Century: Spice Road to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
Add Century: Spice Road to my collectionAlready have an account? Log in
