Grail Games Medici: The Card Game Strategy Board Game

This version of Medici by Reiner Knizia will never be a "gamers' game", but it has its own rewards. Players choose to draw cards to fill up their "ship", but they must always take the last turned card when they stop turning (only 3 cards may be drawn on a player's turn). The author has paid special attention to balancing the cards; those which do not add to the weight of your ship give an addition good as compensation. The goods in the ship are then moved into the "warehouse", where they are accumulated over all of the three rounds. After each of the rounds players score by ship weight, then by majorities in the five goods. If you get more than a specified number of the same good, you get a bonus for each round in which this situation exists. The auctions which make Medici so challenging to play accurately are here replaced by a press-your-luck mechanism actuated by the turn of up to three cards. In short, this is an excellent light game which takes about 5 minutes per player. It is surely a good choice for younger players also. I recommend it highly.

This is Dr.. Knizia’s fresh take on a classic game of his that surpasses the original for many (including me). Easy to learn, challenging to master, with a fun push your luck element that presents tough decisions each turn. Plays very quickly, and since it plays up to six, it really works well in a variety of settings.

Despite the merchant theme being done to death, the card version of Medici is an entertaining, quick press your luck set collection game. Equally good at 2P to 4P. We like it so much we've played over two dozen times this year alone. Consequently, we upgraded the cardboard coins to great metal Scythe coins since currency is so integral to this game. Heavyweight currency feels so much more authentic during in game transactions.

I don't recommend this game. All you have to do is take the highest value cards when they come out of the deck. Gathering of resources and managing resources doesn't matter. Just select the highest value cards and you'll win. Pass on this one.

This game reminded me of Port Royal but with better art. The art is probably the highlight of the game here. Simple game play: have the ship worth the most points for the immediate win, get the most of a certain good for the long term win. The rounds go very quickly. The game also goes up to 6, so it works on a crowded game night when you need a game that works with a larger group. The question is the price. Is it worth 20$ for what is essentially a deck of cards? The art is really good, but for what you are getting the price is steep. If this game were on sale cheap, I would absolutely recommend buying it. 21$ for a deck of cards, probably not.