Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED
Perfect for those who love risk-taking and betting games with a touch of mischief. The highlight is the constant tension between dice luck and sabotage strategy.
Highlights
- High tension during dice rolls
- Direct and competitive interaction
- Engaging smuggling theme
- Quick to learn rules
Keep in mind
- Luck can frustrate solid strategies
- Moderate reliance on randomness
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Get your wallet and your nerves ready, because in Manila, profit goes hand in hand with risk! The game transports us to 19th-century Philippines, where the black market is booming. You and your friends are traders trying to smuggle valuable goods—such as silk, jade, ginseng, and nutmeg—through dangerous sea routes. The goal? Ensure your shipments reach the port of Manila so that the value of your shares skyrockets.
The dynamics begin with a frantic auction to decide who will be the harbor master. The winner gets the advantage of buying shares in the shipments and deciding which boats set sail. But don't think it's all luck! While the dice determine if a ship sinks in a storm or arrives safely, you can use worker placement to bribe pilots, secure your cargo, or, if you're feeling mischievous, hire pirates to loot your competitors.
The game blends the tension of betting on outcomes with the strategy of resource management. Do you prefer to invest heavily in a single shipment or diversify to avoid bankruptcy? You can even take out loans to finance your ambitions, but remember that debt comes at a cost. It's the kind of game where the laughter comes from both unexpected profits and the despair of seeing your ship intercepted by pirates at the last second. With simple rules to learn, Manila turns smuggling logistics into a competitive and fun struggle, perfect for those who enjoy seeing luck and strategy clash at the table.
The dynamics begin with a frantic auction to decide who will be the harbor master. The winner gets the advantage of buying shares in the shipments and deciding which boats set sail. But don't think it's all luck! While the dice determine if a ship sinks in a storm or arrives safely, you can use worker placement to bribe pilots, secure your cargo, or, if you're feeling mischievous, hire pirates to loot your competitors.
The game blends the tension of betting on outcomes with the strategy of resource management. Do you prefer to invest heavily in a single shipment or diversify to avoid bankruptcy? You can even take out loans to finance your ambitions, but remember that debt comes at a cost. It's the kind of game where the laughter comes from both unexpected profits and the despair of seeing your ship intercepted by pirates at the last second. With simple rules to learn, Manila turns smuggling logistics into a competitive and fun struggle, perfect for those who enjoy seeing luck and strategy clash at the table.
Gallery
Box and component photos
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Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
In English
Best player count
BGG community vote
3
REC
4
BEST
5
REC
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Zoch Verlag, 999 Games, Competo / Marektoy, Devir, Egmont Polska, Gigamic, Korea Boardgames, Rio Grande Games, Swan Panasia Co., Ltd.
Designer
Franz-Benno Delonge
Artist
Victor Boden
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
6,949owners
1,318wishlist
381want to play
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
Is the game too complex?
Not at all! It's considered a family game, with simple rules that can be explained in a few minutes.
How many people can play?
From 3 to 5 players. The more people, the more chaotic and fun the struggle for bribes and pirates becomes.
Does the game take long?
A game lasts about 60 minutes and is quite dynamic.
Does luck heavily influence the outcome?
Yes, the dice decide the fate of the ships, but the worker placement strategy is exactly what you use to mitigate or create that chaos.
Who would you recommend Manila to?
To those who enjoy auction and betting games and don't mind a bit of 'betrayal' among friends.
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