Saba: Palast der Königin

Saba: Palast der Königin transports you to the 9th‑century Kingdom of Saba – present‑day Yemen – and puts you in the role of an advisor to the enigmatic queen. Your goal? Build the most impressive palace using the supplies arriving at the harbor. Each round you receive blocks of alabaster, ebony and other materials, deciding where to add floors or rooms to the 3‑D model that comes with the game. But it’s not just stacking: every new construction triggers a contest for area majority, and the player controlling the most spaces gains the queen’s favor, which translates into victory points. At the same time you collect sets of resources that grant bonuses and speed up building. The game blends Area Majority/Influence tension with Set Collection strategy, all wrapped in an economic‑cultural theme. A play lasts about 45 minutes, supports 2‑4 players and has light rules (weight 2.5/5), making it ideal for fans of building games without overwhelming complexity. The visual highlight is the cardboard three‑dimensional palace where player markers sit, creating a tangible sense of competition. If an opponent overtakes your structure in the same zone, you lose the edge, so every move must be planned. In the end, the player with the greatest influence over the most valuable areas and the best resource collection becomes the queen’s new Grand Vizier. It’s a quick, tactical and visually striking game, perfect for relaxed evenings or introducing newcomers to the world of construction and influence.