Mombasa

eggertspiele, Albi, Arclight Games · Board game · 2015
2–4 · best 4 75–150 min Weight 3.9/5
8.6 rating Ludopedia
7.8 rating BGG
How to Play Buy · from US$ 38.06
8.6 rating Ludopedia
7.8 rating BGG
Our Verdict

If you love a meaty Eurogame packed with strategy and planning, Mombasa is an absolute treat! It's a game that truly rewards forward-thinking and adaptability.

Highlights
  • Innovative hand mechanism
  • Deep strategic planning
  • High replayability
  • Engaging economic theme
  • Multiple paths to victory
Keep in mind
  • Steep learning curve
  • Considerable playtime
  • Can be punishing
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Learn How to Play Step by Step Check out our complete step-by-step rules guide.
Access Rules Guide
About the game
In Mombasa, you dive into 19th-century Africa, a bustling period of expansion and trade. Your goal is simple, but the execution... ah, that's the fun part! You'll acquire shares in powerful chartered companies, such as those in Mombasa, Cape Town, Saint-Louis, and Cairo, and spread their trading posts across the continent. The more your companies prosper and expand, the more valuable your shares become, and the more money you rake in by game's end. But a clever investor doesn't live by shares alone! You'll also trade bananas, coffee, and cotton, partner with diamond merchants, and ensure the books are always balanced.

Mombasa's unique selling point is its hand management mechanism with a rotating display, which forces you to think ahead like a master strategist. You start with an identical set of cards as everyone else, but throughout the game, you'll acquire new and more powerful cards from the display. Each round, you choose action cards from your hand, place them face down, and then reveal them simultaneously to execute your moves. The trick? At the end of the action phase, played cards go into a 'resting slot' and can only be recovered in future rounds, and you can only retrieve cards from a single slot at a time. This dynamic demands impeccable planning, as the order and choice of where to place your cards make all the difference for what you'll have available later. The game lasts seven rounds, and at the end, whoever has accumulated the most wealth wins. With varied paths to victory and double-sided company boards, each game of Mombasa is a new and exciting challenge!
Expansions
Rules videos

In English

Rules manual
Rules manual — Mombasa English · PDF
Download PDF
BEST PLAYER COUNT
2 REC
3 REC
4 BEST
WHERE TO BUY
Finding best prices...
Game details

Families

Components: Gems/Crystals Components: Map (Continental / National scale) Components: Wooden pieces & boards Continents: Africa Game: Mombasa Mechanism: Tableau Building
Publisher eggertspiele, Albi, Arclight Games, Bright World Games, Delta Vision Publishing, Doit Games
Designer Alexander Pfister
Artist Andreas Resch, Klemens Franz
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players can play Mombasa and what is the average duration?
Mombasa is for 2 to 4 players. Game duration can vary quite a bit, from 75 to 150 minutes, depending on the number of players and familiarity with the rules.
What is the complexity level of Mombasa?
It's considered a highly complex game, with a BGG weight of 3.887/5. It's not a game for beginners, requiring good planning and familiarity with strategic Eurogames.
Does Mombasa have a lot of player interaction?
Yes, there's a good amount of indirect and competitive interaction. The struggle for area majority in companies and the 'open drafting' of cards will keep you watching your opponents constantly.
Is Mombasa's replayability good?
Absolutely! The companies have double-sided boards, and the variety of strategies and paths to victory ensures that each game is a unique and challenging experience.
What are the main components of the game?
Mombasa comes with a main board featuring the map of Africa, individual player boards, many action and accounting cards, wooden markers for trading posts, and, of course, gems/crystals representing resources.
Who is Mombasa most recommended for?
It is highly recommended for fans of heavy Eurogames, players who enjoy complex hand management, long-term strategic planning, and a well-integrated economic theme. It is not ideal for those looking for casual or light games.
Is there any language dependency to play Mombasa?
The game has been released in several languages, and if you get a localized version, language dependency will be minimal to none. Always check the edition you are buying.