Macao
- Designer Stefan Feld
- Publisher alea , Ravensburger AG , Rio Grande Games , White Goblin Games
- Illustration Julien Delval , Harald Lieske
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Start for freeWhat to Expect
Players take the role of adventurers at the Portuguese trading post Macao in the late 17th century. Over twelve rounds, they select cards, roll dice, and develop trade routes. Managing resources, moving ships, and activating special card abilities require tactical planning. The mix of dice rolling, hand management, and pick-up and deliver creates a deep strategic experience.
Who Is This Game For?
Macao is aimed at experienced players aged 12 and up who enjoy combining strategic planning with elements of luck. The approximately 100-minute playtime demands patience and some experience with complex rules. Designed for 2 to 4 players, it suits those who appreciate engine-building and worker-placement-like mechanics.
How It Works
Each round, players draft cards from an open display that grant special abilities. One player rolls six differently colored dice, and all players pick two dice each. The dice values determine how many action cubes players place on their personal ship’s wheel. These cubes activate in future rounds to perform card actions, buy city quarters, collect goods, move ships, and earn gold. Careful resource and dice placement planning is key to building a successful trade empire.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Stefan Feld, Macao was nominated for the Meeples Choice Award in 2009. It blends innovative dice rolling with hand management and network building. As part of the Alea Big Box series, it thematically captures colonial trade in Asia. The balance of luck and strategic engine-building sets it apart.
Awards
2010
2010
- 2010 Boardgames Australia Awards Best International Game — Nominated
- 2010 JoTa Best Family Board Game — Nominated
- 2009 Meeples Choice Award — Nominated
Pro
- Deep strategic decisions combining dice rolling and hand management
- Thematic portrayal of colonial trade routes
- Part of the Alea Big Box series known for quality strategy games
- Nominated for Meeples Choice Award 2009
Contra
- Playtime of about 100 minutes requires patience
- Complexity may deter beginners
- No solo mode available
Setting & Atmosphäre
Set at the end of the 17th century, Macao is a Portuguese trading post on China’s southern coast. The theme centers on colonial trade and seafaring in the Far East.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Focus first on understanding dice mechanics and card selection to build your engine effectively.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
Macao is designed for 2 to 4 players and does not include a solo mode.
How long does a game really take?
A game lasts about 100 minutes, including setup.
What prior experience do I need?
The game is suited for experienced players aged 12+ comfortable with complex strategy games.
How does this compare to similar games?
Macao combines dice rolling with network and route building, differentiating it from classic worker-placement games.
Is this suitable for families?
Due to complexity and length, it is better suited for experienced players rather than families with young children.
What mechanic makes it special?
The core mechanics are the blend of dice rolling, hand management, and network and route building.
Fazit
Macao is recommended for players who enjoy complex strategy games with dice elements. Its combination of tactics and chance offers varied gameplay over twelve rounds.
