Santa Maria

1-4

Players

Minutes

12+

Age

2017

Published

Designer Kristian Amundsen Østby , Eilif Svensson
Publisher Aporta Games , Arrakis Games , Dal Tenda , Granna , Jumping Turtle Games
Illustration Gjermund Bohne

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What to Expect

In Santa Maria, you develop a colony by placing polyomino buildings on your board. Dice represent migrant workers activating entire rows or columns of buildings. You decide the order of building placement and dice usage. The game involves resource production, shipping routes, and recruiting specialists like missionaries or bishops. Luck is minimal, focusing on strategic engine building and planning.

Who Is This Game For?

Santa Maria suits experienced gamers who enjoy medium complexity Eurogames with low randomness. Its 90-minute playtime requires patience and strategic thinking. It includes a solo mode and is recommended for ages 12 and up. Prior knowledge of worker placement and engine-building mechanics is beneficial.

How It Works

The core mechanic is dice drafting: players select dice that activate rows or columns of buildings, generating resources and effects. Polyomino tile placement on player boards adds tactical depth. Variable player powers come from recruited specialists. Open drafting and set collection further enrich strategic decisions.

Dice Rolling Network and Route Building Open Drafting Set Collection Tile Placement Variable Player Powers

What Makes It Special

Santa Maria was nominated for the Meeples Choice Award in 2017 and the Guldbrikken Best Adult Game and International Gamers Award in 2018. Designed by Kristian Amundsen Østby and Eilif Svensson, it blends dice drafting and tableau building into a layered colonial settlement game with high replayability through variable end bonuses and specialists.

Awards

Nominated
2018

2018 Guldbrikken Best Adult Game — Nominated
2017 Meeples Choice Award — Nominated

Pro

Strategic dice drafting with low luck factor
High replayability due to variable specialists and endgame bonuses
Includes solo mode for single players
Combines polyomino tile placement with engine building

Contra

Approximate 90-minute playtime demands patience
Complexity can be high for newcomers
Theme is rather abstract and not heavily narrative

Setting & Atmosphäre

Set in the colonial era, players build and develop their own colonies. Themes like resource management, missionaries, and trade routes create a historically inspired atmosphere.

Tipp für Einsteiger

Focus first on understanding dice activation and smart polyomino placement before exploring complex strategies.

Häufige Fragen

Can I play this solo?

Yes, Santa Maria includes a solo mode.

How long does a game really take?

A typical game lasts about 90 minutes with manageable setup.

What prior experience do I need?

Experience with Eurogames and mechanics like dice drafting and engine building helps.

How does this compare to similar games?

Santa Maria uniquely combines dice drafting with polyomino tile placement and variable player powers.

Is this suitable for families?

It is more suited for experienced players aged 12+, not primarily a family game.

What mechanic makes it special?

The integration of dice drafting and tableau building with polyomino tiles stands out.

Fazit

Santa Maria is a solid Eurogame for players who enjoy strategic dice use and engine optimization. Its complexity and duration require some gaming experience.