Santa Maria
Santa Maria at your next game night?
Add Santa Maria 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 Kristian Amundsen Østby , Eilif Svensson
- Publisher Aporta Games , Arrakis Games , Dal Tenda , Granna , Jumping Turtle Games
- Illustration Gjermund Bohne
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 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.
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
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 & atmosphere
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.
Tips for beginners
Focus first on understanding dice activation and smart polyomino placement before exploring complex strategies.
Frequently asked questions
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.
Santa Maria at your next game night?
Add Santa Maria to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
Add Santa Maria to my collectionAlready have an account? Log in
