# Upon a Salty Ocean

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2011
- **BGG Rating**: 6.5
- **BGG Rank**: #5946
- **Players**: 2-4 (Best with: 4)
- **Duration**: 120 min
- **Weight**: 2.90 / 5
- **Designers**: Marco Pranzo
- **Artists**: Lamberto Azzariti
- **Publishers**: Giochix.it, Rio Grande Games, Rocks Games
- **Categories**: Economic, Nautical, Renaissance
- **Mechanics**: Action Points, Variable Phase Order

## Verdict
For fans of economic games with historical themes, Upon a Salty Ocean is a delightful trip to 16th-century maritime trade. The game blends long-term strategy with immediate tactical decisions, all on a beautifully thematic board. You'll feel like a true Renaissance merchant, calculating every move to maximize profits. Just don't expect much direct player interaction—here, the sea (and the market) is your real opponent.Immersive historical themeDeep strategic decisionsWell-integrated mechanicsMinimal direct interactionSlow for beginnersFOR GENRE FANS

## Description
In Upon a Salty Ocean, you're an ambitious merchant in 16th-century France, trying to get rich off the salted fish trade. The game takes place in Rouen, France's main port at the time, where salt is gold and ships are your ticket to wealth. Each game lasts five rounds, divided into three phases: events, actions, and end of turn. In the event phase, you deal with market surprises and the weather—because yes, even the elements conspire against your mercantile empire. In the action phase, you choose between buying salt mines, building ships, fishing, or trading in the market. Each action gets more expensive the more you repeat it, so plan wisely! And at the end of the turn, it's time to produce salt, pay debts (if any), and prepare for the next round. The winner is whoever has the most money at the end, but beware: there are limits to how much you can hoard unless you invest in special buildings. Can you impress King Francis I when he visits the city?

## FAQ
### How many players can play?
2 to 4 ambitious merchants.

### How long does a game last?
About 2 hours—enough time to build a trading empire.

### Is it hard to learn?
Medium weight (2.9/5 on BGG). Best for those familiar with economic games.

### Is language dependent?
No, the game is language-independent.

### What's the best player count?
Works great with 3 or 4, but for quicker games, 2 is a good option.

## Price Comparison
### Best International Offers
- **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 25.38 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=3925523&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
- **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 39.95 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=148639&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
  - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/637/upon-a-salty-ocean?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com