Positano
Positano at your next game night?
Add Positano 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 Jeff Grisenthwaite
- Publisher SlugFest Games , Pegasus Spiele
- Illustration Beth Trott
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 builders in Positano, Italy, bidding in three simultaneous auctions each round to determine location, size and quality of your resorts. Rounds consist of simultaneous bidding, drafting tiles from a bid board and building on a tiered three-dimensional cliff. Sea view, collected gelato elements and three random goal cards shape scoring every game.
Who Is This Game For?
For experienced hobby players who enjoy tactical auctions and short-to-medium playtimes; games run about 45 minutes. Positano supports solo play (1 player) and scales to 4 players. Basic familiarity with auction and drafting mechanics is useful.
How It Works
Each round players simultaneously choose and reveal two bid cards (Auction / Bidding, Sealed Bid). Bids determine the draft order on the bid board (Open Drafting), where tiles are taken. Tiles dictate where you can build on the Square Grid cliffside and what building blocks or quality levels you gain. Building for clear sea views and fulfilling goal cards are central to scoring.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Jeff Grisenthwaite, Positano blends Auction / Bidding, Sealed Bid and Open Drafting with tower-like, perspective-based building (Tower Stacking / Mechanism: Perspective). The game emphasizes sea-view scoring and variable goal cards. It has digital implementations on Board Game Arena and Tabletopia.
Pro
- Simultaneous bidding plus drafting creates meaningful tactical choices
- 3D cliffside building adds visual and spatial interest
- Compact playtime (~45 minutes) suits game nights
- Includes solo mode and scales to 4 players
Contra
- Auction and simultaneous choice can overwhelm newcomers
- Theme and mechanics lean toward hobby gamers rather than young children
Setting & atmosphere
Set in the coastal village of Positano, Italy, players build resorts up a stepped cliffside. The Mediterranean seaside theme and vertical construction are core to the game's identity.
Tips for beginners
Focus early on how sea-view scoring and goal cards interact; learn the draft options before planning complex long-term strategies.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play this solo?
Yes. Positano supports solo play (players.min = 1).
How long does a game really take?
The listed duration is about 45 minutes; first plays with explanations may run longer.
What prior experience do I need?
Familiarity with auction and drafting mechanics helps; the game targets hobby/experienced players.
How does this compare to similar games?
Positano pairs sealed bidding and open drafting with 3D tower-like building, putting spatial planning at the forefront.
Is this suitable for families?
Less suitable for young children — minimum age is 10 and mechanics are more hobby-focused.
What mechanic makes it special?
The mix of Auction / Bidding (Sealed Bid), Open Drafting and Tower Stacking/Perspective defines the experience.
Fazit
Positano is a good fit if you like auction-driven decisions combined with spatial building in a compact playtime; it's less suited for very young families due to its mechanics and minimum age.
Positano at your next game night?
Add Positano to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
Add Positano to my collectionAlready have an account? Log in
