Players 2-4 (Best with 3)
Playing Time 30Mins
Age 8+
Complexity 1.75/5
Type Family Friendly
Splendor is a game of chip-collecting and card development. Players are merchants of the Renaissance trying to buy gem mines, means of transportation, shops—all in order to acquire the most prestige points. If you're wealthy enough, you might even receive a visit from a noble at some point, which of course will further increase your prestige.
On your turn, you may (1) collect chips (gems), or (2) buy and build a card, or (3) reserve one card. If you collect chips, you take either three different kinds of chips or two chips of the same kind. If you buy a card, you pay its price in chips and add it to your playing area. To reserve a card—in order to make sure you get it, or, why not, your opponents don't get it—you place it in front of you face down for later building; this costs you a round, but you also get gold in the form of a joker chip, which you can use as any gem.
All of the cards you buy increase your wealth as they give you a permanent gem bonus for later buys; some of the cards also give you prestige points. In order to win the game, you must reach 15 prestige points before your opponents do.
AWARDS & HONORS
2015 Origins Awards Best Card Game Nominee
2015 Nederlandse Spellenprijs Best Family Game Winner
2015 Nederlandse Spellenprijs Best Family Game Nominee
2015 Hungarian Board Game Award Nominee
2015 Gioco dell’Anno Nominee
2015 As d'Or - Jeu de l'Année Nominee
2014 Vuoden Peli Adult Game of the Year Nominee
2014 Vuoden Peli Adult Game of the Year
2014 UK Games Expo Best New Boardgame Winner
2014 Tric Trac Nominee
2014 Tric Trac de Bronze
2014 Spiel des Jahres Nominee
2014 Meeples' Choice Winner
2014 Meeples' Choice Nominee
2014 Lys Grand Public Finalist
2014 Golden Geek Board Game of the Year Winner
2014 Golden Geek Board Game of the Year Nominee
2014 Golden Geek Best Family Board Game Winner
2014 Golden Geek Best Family Board Game Nominee
2014 Golden Geek Best Board Game Artwork & Presentation Nominee
2014 Board Game Quest Awards Best Family Game Winner
2014 Board Game Quest Awards Best Family Game Nominee