8.0
rating
Ludopedia
6.9
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED
If you enjoy abstract strategy with a race element and direct interaction, Santorini: New York is a sure bet for your table!
Highlights
- Engaging abstract strategy
- Constant direct interaction
- Very high replayability
- Cool 3D components
- 'All vs. one' dynamic
Keep in mind
- Can be a bit chaotic
- Moderate language dependency
- Role card learning curve
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Get ready to put on your builder's boots and dive into the bustling New York of the early 20th century with Santorini: New York! In this abstract strategy game for 2 to 5 players, you and your fellow architects will compete to erect Manhattan's most imposing skyscrapers. Each turn, you control two workers, moving them around the board and adding floors to buildings. But it's not just about building for building's sake! Victory goes to the first player who manages to move one of their workers to the third level of a construction, but there's a crucial detail: you must be holding the Statue of Liberty to seal the win!
The big differentiator here are the Role Cards. Each player starts with five of them, and each round, chooses one to use. These cards not only grant special abilities but also determine turn order, as each has an initiative number. The cards are revealed simultaneously: whoever has the lowest number plays first, and whoever has the highest takes the Statue of Liberty, becoming the only one with a chance to win that turn. This creates a super tense and strategic 'all vs. one' dynamic every round! With 14 sets of Role Cards and only 4 being used per game, replayability is very high. And to make everything even cooler, the game comes with custom sculpts of six record-breaking skyscrapers from the turn of the century. It's a race against time and against other builders to see who dominates the New York skyline!
The big differentiator here are the Role Cards. Each player starts with five of them, and each round, chooses one to use. These cards not only grant special abilities but also determine turn order, as each has an initiative number. The cards are revealed simultaneously: whoever has the lowest number plays first, and whoever has the highest takes the Statue of Liberty, becoming the only one with a chance to win that turn. This creates a super tense and strategic 'all vs. one' dynamic every round! With 14 sets of Role Cards and only 4 being used per game, replayability is very high. And to make everything even cooler, the game comes with custom sculpts of six record-breaking skyscrapers from the turn of the century. It's a race against time and against other builders to see who dominates the New York skyline!
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
Best player count
BGG community vote
2
REC
3
BEST
4
REC
5
REC
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Roxley, Spin Master Ltd.
Designer
Gord!
Artist
David Forest, Lina Cossette
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
What is the average playtime for Santorini: New York?
A game is quite quick! You can usually finish a match in 15 to 30 minutes, which makes it perfect for multiple rounds or for filling that gap between longer games.
How many players can participate?
Santorini: New York can be played by 2 to 5 people, which is great for different group sizes. The dynamic changes a bit depending on the number, but the fun is guaranteed!
Is it a very complex game for beginners?
It's not overly complex! It has a BGG weight of 1.9375/5, indicating it's a light to medium difficulty game. The basic rules are easy to pick up, but the Role Cards add strategic depth that you'll master over time.
What are the main components of the game?
Besides the board and workers, the highlights are the 14 Role Cards (of which 4 are used per game) and the 6 custom sculpts of famous New York skyscrapers, which give the game an amazing visual appeal.
Who would you recommend Santorini: New York to?
I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys abstract strategy games with a lot of player interaction and a race element. If you like the idea of physically building something on the board and love the New York theme, you'll have a blast!
Is the language dependency high?
The language dependency is moderate. The Role Cards have text describing abilities, so it's good to have a translation handy or for at least one player to be familiar with English to explain the effects.
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