Night Soil

Grail Games, WindFans Games · Board game · 2025
8.0 Ludopedia 6.9 BGG 2–5 · best 4 60–90 min Weight 3.2/5
Buy · from US$ 37.60
8.0 rating Ludopedia
6.9 rating BGG
Our Verdict
FOR GENRE FANS

If you enjoy games with unusual themes and solid management mechanics, Night Soil might be your next obsession! It's an experienced game that makes you think about how to profit from what nobody else wants.

Highlights
  • Quirky and engaging theme
  • Robust management mechanics
  • Interesting day/night strategy
Keep in mind
  • Theme might not suit all
  • Complexity requires focus
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Get ready to dive into the guts of Tudor London in Night Soil, a game that puts you in charge of a waste collection company! It's the Renaissance era, and while Europe celebrates progress, the English capital is drowning in its own refuse. Your job? Manage a "night soil" operation, collecting and transporting waste through the city's narrow alleys, all while trying to turn a profit and expand your business. By night, you'll use worker cards to strategically maneuver waste cubes, seeking efficient routes and avoiding chaos. Recruit more people to your team, but beware: the more workers you have, the more waste you might end up generating! By day, send your workforce out to advertise your company, gain favor with local businesses, or improve your company's assets. The game blends mechanics like area control, movement, deck/bag building, and resource management in a very peculiar way. The ultimate goal is simple: whoever amasses the most money by the end of the game wins. It's a unique experience that mixes strategy with a… let's say, refreshing theme! Perfect for those who enjoy medium-weight games and aren't afraid of a little "different" thematic element.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

2 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–5 players
2 REC
3 REC
4 BEST
5 OK

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Categories

Families

Admin: Upcoming Releases Cities: London (England, UK) Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Theme: Excrements / Feces / Poop / Urine
Publisher Grail Games, WindFans Games
Designer Jon Moffat
Artist Jesse Gillespie

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

820owners
473wishlist
94want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
What is the average playtime for Night Soil?
A game of Night Soil typically lasts between 60 and 90 minutes, depending on the number of players and familiarity with the rules.
How many players can participate?
The game is designed for 2 to 5 players, offering different experiences with each player count.
Is Night Soil a complicated game to learn?
With a medium weight (3.17/5 on BGG), Night Soil requires some learning, but it's accessible for those already familiar with more elaborate board games.
What is the main objective of the game?
The goal is to accumulate the most money by the end of the game, managing your waste collection company efficiently.
Could the sanitation theme be off-putting for some players?
Yes, the theme is quite peculiar and might not appeal to everyone. It's recommended to check if the group is comfortable with this theme before playing.
What are the most prominent mechanics in the game?
Night Soil utilizes area majority/influence, area movement, deck/bag building, income, pick-up and deliver, turn order: claim action, variable player powers, and victory points as a resource.

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