Port Royal*

Port Royal is a competitive card game that immerses players in the world of Caribbean trade during the era of pirates and merchant ships. It combines elements of risk-taking, resource management, and strategic planning.

Key Features:

  1. Set in the Caribbean: Players are merchants trying to make the most out of the Caribbean Sea.
  2. Card Drawing Mechanism: Players draw cards one at a time, deciding whether to push their luck or stop and use the cards drawn.
  3. Variety of Cards: The deck includes People, Ships, Expeditions, and Tax Increase cards, each with different functions and strategies.
  4. Risk and Reward: Drawing too many ships of the same name ends a player's turn prematurely, representing the risk of being too greedy.
  5. Influence Points: Players aim to accumulate influence points through people and expedition cards to win the game.

Gameplay:

  • On their turn, players can draw multiple cards, placing them in the "harbor."
  • Cards include different types of People (which are collected), Ships (which can be attacked for coins), Expeditions (requiring specific people to complete), and Tax Increase (a penalty for wealthy players).
  • Drawing a ship already in the harbor ends the player's turn, and all harbor cards are discarded.
  • Players can acquire or use up to three cards from the harbor based on the number of ships present.
  • Other players may pay to use or acquire harbor cards.
  • The game ends when a player reaches at least twelve influence points, with the highest score winning.

Player Experience:

  • Offers a balance between strategic planning and the excitement of pushing your luck.
  • Players must decide when to stop drawing cards to avoid losing their turn.
  • Economic and resource management elements through coin accumulation and spending.
  • Interaction between players, especially when choosing to pay for others' harbor cards.
  • The game is easy to learn, making it accessible to both casual and experienced gamers.

Conclusion:

Port Royal offers an engaging blend of strategy and luck, set against the backdrop of the bustling Caribbean trade routes. Its push-your-luck mechanic, combined with strategic card selection and player interaction, makes it an exciting and accessible game for a wide range of players. The game's theme is well-integrated into the mechanics, offering a rich and thematic experience.

Nominated for 4 awards and won 1.

  • 2 - 5 Players
  • 20 - 50 Minutes
  • 8+ years old
  • Easy to learn

Video reviews, ratings, Let's Plays and tests for Port Royal

  • YouTube Review for the game "Port Royal" by BoardGameGeek
    Video is in English

We like Port Royal so much that we recommend it in the following board game recommendation lists 2024

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