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Ask anything about Istanbul: Big Box: rules, setup, components, complexity, price, or whether it fits your group.
If you enjoy an economic game with a fun race and a touch of luck, Istanbul: Big Box is the complete package that's worth every penny!
- Immersive and engaging theme
- Clever and fluid mechanics
- High replayability with expansions
- Complete all-in-one package
- Language dependency on cards
- Can have a bit of luck
About the game
What you do in a play session
The core of the game is clever planning to become the shrewdest merchant in town. You'll navigate the bazaar, collecting goods and fulfilling contracts to earn money and favors. The Mancala-like mechanic for managing your assistants is a unique charm, and dice rolls add that touch of chance that makes everything more exciting. With the Big Box, you also get the option to expand the bazaar to a larger 5x5 tile map, which really boosts replayability and strategic challenges.
This game hooks you from start to finish, featuring a race to see who can amass the most gold coins. Player interaction is well-balanced, not overly aggressive, but always maintaining that tension of who's one step ahead. If you're already a fan of Istanbul, this edition is a significant upgrade. If you're new to the game, get ready to immerse yourself in this economic and strategic world with all the best the game has to offer. It guarantees fun for those who enjoy a solid board game with an engaging theme and clever mechanics.
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Rules manual
Official PDF file
Best player count
BGG community vote
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
Where to Buy
Prices monitored daily
Price history — last 6 months (lowest new offer)
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
What exactly is included in the Istanbul Big Box?
How many players can participate?
How long does a game typically last?
Is it too complicated for beginners?
Does the game involve a lot of luck?
Is it worth buying the Big Box if I already own the base game?
Does it require a lot of table space?
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