Aegean Sea (2023)

About this game

Adventure through the 220 islands of the Aegean Sea in a game in which every card can be an island, or one of the boats, temples, goods, and peoples occupying it. Your ultimate goal is to acquire goods and bring them back to your home island — but of course, all your opponents are trying to do the same! Aegean Sea comes with five different decks representing the Athenians, Spartans, Cretans, Rhodians, and Ephesians. Every card in the game is a unique island in the Aegean, with unique game text. Islands are placed face-up in the middle of the table, and other cards can be tucked underneath to represent boats, temples, goods, and populace (under the left, top, right, bottom edges). Boats let you transport goods. Population lets you have plurality at islands, which is required to take goods and use islands' effects. Temples (if with goods) allow you to draw more cards when you refresh your hand. And goods...are worth points! Use your cards and effects wisely, and you'll be victorious.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 2 to 5.
• Rules load. At 3.6/5 this is a heavy game — read the rulebook before people arrive.
• Age. The publisher suggests 14 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.