Teotihuacan: City of Gods
- Designer Daniele Tascini
- Publisher NSKN Games , Board&Dice , Bucaneiros Jogos , CrowD Games , Delta Vision Publishing
- Illustration Odysseas Stamoglou
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Start for freeWhat to Expect
You travel to the greatest city of Mesoamerica and command worker dice that grow stronger with each move. On a modular board you move workers and choose between spaces that grant an action plus a worker upgrade or spaces that offer a powerful bonus without an upgrade. You research technologies, climb temple steps, build housing and raise the Pyramid of the Sun across three eras with three scoring phases.
Who Is This Game For?
Aimed at experienced players and strategy fans: the game demands planning and resource management. With 1–4 players and approximately 120 minutes playtime, it's an evening-long, medium-to-high complexity title rather than a casual family filler.
How It Works
The core revolves around moving worker dice across board areas (Area Movement, Grid Coverage). Some spaces provide actions and worker upgrades, others offer bonuses without upgrades. Events, End Game Bonuses and Ownership mechanics influence decisions, while Layering of developments and constructions builds your engine. Player efforts and worker provisioning are evaluated three times during the game.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Daniele Tascini, Teotihuacan mixes City Building and Economic mechanics with Area Movement. It received several 2018 nominations, including Board Game Quest Awards Game of the Year and multiple Golden Geek nominations. Digital versions exist on Board Game Arena and Tabletopia.
Awards
2018
- 2018 Board Game Quest Awards Game of the Year — Nominated
- 2018 Meeples Choice Award — Nominated
Pro
- Strong engine-building via worker upgrades
- Complex spatial decisions through Area Movement and Grid Coverage
- Rich thematic focus on city and pyramid building
- Multiple award nominations in 2018
Contra
- Long playtime (~120 minutes), so it's evening-length
- Relatively high complexity; steep learning curve for newcomers
Setting & Atmosphäre
The theme places you in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica in the city of Teotihuacan, managing construction, religious progress and urban growth centered on the Pyramid of the Sun.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Focus first on understanding worker upgrades and provisioning; learning with fewer players shortens downtime and clarifies interactions.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
Yes. The game supports solo play (players range 1–4).
How long does a game really take?
The listed duration is about 120 minutes; initial plays with rule explanations may take longer.
What prior experience do I need?
Prior experience with medium-to-heavy euro-style strategy games is helpful due to layered mechanics and planning demands.
How does this compare to similar games?
Compared to simpler city-builders, Teotihuacan combines Area Movement with worker upgrades and Grid Coverage, increasing emphasis on move order and placement.
Is this suitable for families?
Not ideal for younger families: min age is 14 and the game targets more experienced players.
What mechanic makes it special?
The interaction of worker upgrades with Area Movement and Grid Coverage is the game's defining mechanical feature.
Fazit
Teotihuacan is recommended for players who enjoy deep engine-building and spatial placement challenges; it rewards planning but requires time and commitment.
