Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED
If you enjoy light games with a mix of strategy and luck, Livingstone is a blast. The dice-drafting system is brilliant and creates tense, fun moments!
Highlights
- Unique dice selection mechanic
- Immersive exploration theme
- Great for families and beginners
- Quick and dynamic gameplay
Keep in mind
- High reliance on dice luck
- May frustrate control-focused players
- Limited interaction at 2 players
Rules manual not indexed yet
Upload the PDF rulebook to ask questions about this game with AI.
About the game
What you do in a play session
In Livingstone, you follow in the footsteps of the famous explorer David Livingstone through 19th-century Africa, collecting gems and setting up strategic camps along the Zambezi River. The game blends luck and strategy with a unique dice-drafting system: each round starts with everyone rolling dice, and you pick the highest values to take actions like collecting diamonds, earning money, or exploring new areas. But beware! Some choices can cause the mine to collapse, making everyone lose their treasures. You also need to keep Queen Victoria happy by secretly contributing coins to her chest — whoever gives the least can't win, even if they have the most points. With area majority mechanics and a dash of bluffing, Livingstone is perfect for families and groups who enjoy quick, interactive games.
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Best player count
BGG community vote
2
REC
3
REC
4
REC
5
REC
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
Loading playlist...
Where to Buy
Prices monitored daily
Finding best prices...
Prices unavailable at this time.
Price history — last 6 months (lowest new offer)
Alert enabled!
Join the BoardGamesBot deals group
Get the best board game deals every day — without message spam.
Join the WhatsApp groupGame details
Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Playroom Entertainment, Lautapelit.fi, Schmidt Spiele
Designer
Benjamin Schwer
Artist
Christof Tisch, Michael Menzel
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
2,085owners
250wishlist
59want to play
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
How many players is it best with?
Works best with 3-5 players. With 2, it loses some interaction.
How long does a game take?
About 35 minutes, perfect for a quick after-dinner game.
Is it hard to learn?
Not at all! The rules are simple and the gameplay flows intuitively.
Is it too luck-dependent?
Dice influence outcomes, but you can mitigate luck with smart strategic choices.
Is there a digital version?
Yes, it's available on Board Game Arena to play online.
Other Games You'll Like
Based on mechanics and theme