Lisboa
- Designer Vital Lacerda
- Publisher Eagle-Gryphon Games , Angry Lion Games , Delta Vision Publishing , Giochix.it , hobbity.eu
- Illustration Ian O'Toole
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Start for freeWhat to Expect
You play members of the nobility who use influence to shape the city's reconstruction and economic growth. The game uses a real downtown map, multi-use cards and an economy driven by the royal treasury. In rounds you schedule hearings, gain favors for commerce, construction and openings, and manage workers, licenses and church power. Victory goes to the player with the most wigs at the end.
Who Is This Game For?
Aimed at experienced gamers who enjoy deep economic planning and influence mechanics: designed by Vital Lacerda. With 1–4 players and roughly 120 minutes playtime, it requires patience and willingness to learn interlocking systems. Not an entry-level title.
How It Works
Lisboa plays in fixed rounds where each player takes one turn per round. Core mechanics include Hand Management, Multi-Use Cards and Area Majority / Influence: you place or replace cards on your display, schedule hearings to gain character favors, and deploy influence to secure licenses, income and construction. Open Drafting and Set Collection shape available options, while the royal treasury acts as the economic engine that alters income and conditions throughout the game.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Vital Lacerda, Lisboa blends city-building, economic planning and political influence. It won the 2017 Board Game Quest Awards Best Strategy/Euro Game and earned the 2017 Cardboard Republic Tactician Laurel. The use of a real Lisbon downtown map is a notable feature.
Awards
- 2017 Board Game Quest Awards Best Production Values — Nominated
- 2017 Board Game Quest Awards Best Strategy/Euro Game — Winner
- 2017 Board Game Quest Awards Game of the Year — Nominated
- 2017 Cardboard Republic Tactician Laurel — Winner
Pro
- Strong historical theme: reconstruction of Lisbon (1755)
- Robust economic system driven by the royal treasury
- Multiple mechanics: Hand Management, Multi-Use Cards, Area Majority / Influence
- Includes a solo mode (1 player playable)
Contra
- High complexity with a steep learning curve for newcomers
- Playtime of about 120 minutes requires a significant time investment
Setting & Atmosphäre
The theme centers on rebuilding Lisbon after the 1755 earthquake, tsunami and fires. Players act as nobles working with architects, the Marquis and the King on commerce, construction and city openings.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Start by mastering Multi-Use Cards and the influence mechanics; play with a patient group to learn the system interactions.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
Yes. The game supports a solo mode (1 player).
How long does a game really take?
Listed duration is about 120 minutes; teaching and first plays commonly extend total time.
What prior experience do I need?
Experience with heavier Eurogames is recommended; Vital Lacerda's design involves layered economic planning.
How does this compare to similar games?
Lisboa combines city-building and political influence with a treasury-driven economy and a real city map, which sets it apart from many other Euros.
Is this suitable for families?
With a minimum age of 12 and higher complexity, Lisboa is more suited to experienced gamers than to families with younger children.
What mechanic makes it special?
The interplay of Multi-Use Cards with Area Majority / Influence and Hand Management defines its decision space.
Fazit
Lisboa is a demanding strategy game for players who enjoy complex engine-building and influence decisions; recommended if you can commit ~120 minutes and a learning session.
