Santa Maria*

Santa Maria is a medium complexity Eurogame that immerses players in the development of their own colonies. This strategic game combines elements of dice drafting and engine building, with a focus on minimal luck and no direct destructive player interaction. The components are designed to be language independent, making the game accessible to a wide audience.

Gameplay Overview

  • Colony Expansion: Place polyominoes with buildings on your colony board to expand.
  • Dice Activation: Use dice as migrant workers to activate a complete row or column of buildings.
  • Strategic Building Placement: The order and placement of buildings are crucial for effective use of dice.

Special Features

  • Resource Production and Shipping: Manage resources and establish shipping routes for development.
  • Diverse Strategies: Choose how to use monks as scholars, missionaries, or bishops for different benefits.
  • High Replayability: Variable specialists, end-game bonuses, and building options ensure a unique experience each game.

Conclusion

Santa Maria offers a rich and engaging experience for players who enjoy strategic planning and resource management. Its unique blend of dice activation and colony building, along with the variety of strategies available, makes each game session both challenging and rewarding. With its emphasis on strategy over luck and its high replayability, Santa Maria is a standout choice for game nights, appealing to both seasoned gamers and those new to Euro-style games.

Nominated for 3 awards.

  • 1 - 4 Players
  • 45 - 90 Minutes
  • 12+ years old
  • Medium difficulty

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

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