Century: Spice Road

Plan B Games, ABACUSSPIELE, Arclight Games · Board game · 2017
2–5 · best 3 30–45 min Weight 1.8/5
8.1 rating Ludopedia
7.3 rating BGG
8.1 rating Ludopedia
7.3 rating BGG
Our Verdict

If you're looking for a streamlined engine-builder with satisfying turns and a clear path to victory, Century: Spice Road offers a delightful journey along the Silk Road. It's perfect for players who enjoy strategic card play and efficient resource management.

Highlights
  • Elegant hand management and engine building
  • Quick turns keep the game flowing
  • Satisfying spice conversion mechanics
  • Accessible rules for new players
Keep in mind
  • Theme feels somewhat pasted on
  • Can feel a bit repetitive over time
RECOMMENDED
Learn How to Play Step by Step Check out our complete step-by-step rules guide.
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About the game
Get ready to embark on an epic journey along the Silk Road in Century: Spice Road, the first in a series of games that explores the rich history of centuries through the theme of spice trading! Here, you take on the role of an ambitious caravan leader, traveling to distant lands to deliver valuable spices and achieve fame and glory. The game is a strategic race where every decision counts, and managing your hand of cards is key to success.

Each turn, you'll have four crucial actions at your disposal. Want to expand your trading empire? Establish a new route by taking a market card. Need more spices or want to transform them into something more valuable? Play a card from your hand to make a trade or harvest. If you already have the right spices, fulfill a victory point card's demand to secure your score. And, of course, if your hand is depleted, you can always 'rest,' taking all your played cards back to plan your next masterful move. The final round is triggered as soon as a player claims their fifth victory point card. Whoever has the most points at the end takes the victory! It's an elegant game with simple rules, but with a strategic depth that will make you want to play again and again.
Rules videos

In English

Rules manual
Rules manual — Century: Spice Road English · PDF
Download PDF
BEST PLAYER COUNT
2 REC
3 BEST
4 BEST
5 REC
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Game details

Families

Digital Implementations: Board Game Arena Game: Century (Plan B Games) Theme: Silk Road
Publisher Plan B Games, ABACUSSPIELE, Arclight Games, asmodee, Belleville (Бельвіль), Broadway Toys LTD
Designer Emerson Matsuuchi
Artist Chris Quilliams, David Richards, Fernanda Suárez
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Century: Spice Road a complex game for beginners?
Not at all! It has very simple and intuitive rules, making it a great gateway into the world of more strategic board games. The complexity comes from your tactical choices, not the rules themselves.
How many players can participate and how long does a game last?
The game accommodates 2 to 5 players, and a game typically takes between 30 to 45 minutes. It's perfect for a quick session or to warm up the table before longer games.
What is the main objective of the game?
Your goal is to accumulate the highest number of victory points, which you earn by fulfilling scoring card demands and also through coin and spice bonuses at the end of the game.
Are the components of good quality?
Yes, the components are of excellent quality! The spices are colorful wooden cubes, and the cards are well-illustrated and durable, making for a very pleasant tactile experience.
Is there any player interaction?
Interaction is indirect but significant. You're always keeping an eye on the cards your opponents are taking and the spices they are collecting, as this can influence your own market decisions and strategies.
Does Century: Spice Road have expansions?
Yes! It's part of a trilogy, and the other games in the series (Eastern Wonders and Golem Edition) can be played independently or combined with Spice Road for even more complex and varied experiences.