Greenland (Third Edition)

Banana Games, Fox in the Box, Ion Game Design · Board game · 2018
7.3 Ludopedia 7.1 BGG 1–4 · best 3 Solo 60–120 min Weight 3.6/5
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7.3 rating Ludopedia
7.1 rating BGG

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Our Verdict
FOR GENRE FANS

If you enjoy games that transport you to a challenging historical setting and make you think about how to survive and thrive, Greenland is a great pick! It's a dense game, but it rewards planning and adaptation.

Highlights
  • Immersive historical simulation
  • Strategic player interaction
  • Faith decisions impact victory
  • Complex tribe management
Keep in mind
  • High language dependency
  • Steep learning curve
  • Theme can be grim
Learn How to Play Step by Step Check out our complete step-by-step rules guide.
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About the game

What you do in a play session

In Greenland (Third Edition), you take on the role of one of four tribes—Tunit, Norse, Sea Sámi, or Thule—inhabiting Greenland between the 11th and 15th centuries. The goal is to ensure your tribe's survival and growth in a challenging environment where climate and resource scarcity are constant. To achieve this, you'll need to manage your population, sending them out to hunt native animals, gather essential resources, develop new technologies, and even colonize the New World. But beware, not every hunt returns successfully, and nature can be unforgiving!

The game unfolds over six phases, representing generations. Each phase brings unique events, such as elder deaths, animal migrations, or climate changes. If a merchant ship appears, prepare for an auction! You'll have to decide where to allocate your hunters: for hunting, gathering, exploration, or even interacting with other tribes, whether through tense negotiations to steal wives or animals, or direct conflicts. The survival of your domesticated livestock also requires attention and resources.

One of the most interesting decisions is choosing between monotheism and polytheism, which will influence your final score based on your achievements. Player interaction is crucial, with opportunities to bribe rivals or form temporary alliances. Greenland is a historical simulation game with worker placement, dice rolling, and auction mechanics, demanding strategic planning and adaptation to the twists of fate. It's an immersive experience that transports you to the harsh life in medieval Greenland.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

1 videos

Rules manual

Official PDF file

Rules manual — Greenland (Third Edition) Portuguese · PDF
Download Manual

Best player count

BGG community vote

1–4 players
1 REC
2 REC
3 BEST
4 REC

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Islands: Greenland (Denmark) Series: Dominata Theme: Inuit Peoples Theme: Native Americans / First Peoples Theme: Survival Theme: Vikings
Publisher Banana Games, Fox in the Box, Ion Game Design, Sierra Madre Games
Designer Phil Eklund
Artist Karim Chakroun

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

2,459owners
229wishlist
50want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
What is the average playtime for 4 players?
For 4 players, expect around 90 to 120 minutes, as there's plenty of interaction and decisions for everyone to make.
Do I need to know English to play?
Yes, this game has a lot of information on cards and the board. A significant portion of the text needs to be understood to play fully, so a reasonable command of English is recommended.
Is the game very difficult to learn?
Greenland has considerable complexity (3.56/5 weight on BGG). It's not a game for absolute beginners, but for those with some experience with more elaborate board games, the learning curve is rewarding.
Is it possible to play solo?
Yes! The current edition allows play with up to 4 players, including a solo mode that simulates managing a tribe against environmental challenges.
Does the Sea Sami expansion come included?
Yes, this third edition of Greenland includes the Sea Sami expansion, allowing play for up to 4 players and adding more depth to the experience.
What type of player would enjoy Greenland the most?
Players who enjoy historical simulation, games with resource management, worker placement, and who don't mind a bit of randomness (dice) and player negotiation.

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