De Vulgari Eloquentia
- Players
- 2-5
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 4 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 120 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 14+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 3.6 / 5
- Year
- 2010
About the game
De Vulgari Eloquentia is set in late Medieval Italy during the rise of the Volgare vernacular language, as literary giants like Dante and Francesco d'Assisi help spread a new way of writing. Players travel the map collecting knowledge to decipher manuscripts hidden within the Papal Library, all while climbing either the religious or merchant social hierarchy. Victory points come from reading manuscripts, discovering key documents, and improving social status, whether becoming Pope, a wealthy banker, or a respected scholar. The game rewards efficient action-point planning and long-term positioning within its layered medieval setting.
Hobbli's Notes
Hobbli's editorial team appreciates the unusual intellectual theme of De Vulgari Eloquentia, which stands out from typical medieval Euro games by focusing on language, literacy, and social ascension rather than combat or trade. The action point movement system demands careful long-range planning, rewarding players who map out their route across the manuscript-filled map ahead of time. It's a cerebral, slower-paced game best suited to players who enjoy historical themes with real depth. We recommend it for Euro gamers looking for something intellectually distinctive.
What we like
- Distinctive intellectual theme centered on literature and language.
- Rewards careful long-term route and action planning.
- Multiple paths to victory through social status or scholarship.
- Rich historical setting with real depth for history enthusiasts.
Keep in mind
- High complexity (3.6) and long downtime may deter casual players.
- Thematic abstraction can make the connection to actions feel distant.
- Niche appeal limits its accessibility to newer gamers.
Who it's for
Suited to experienced Euro gamers aged 14+ who enjoy cerebral, historically themed games with strong long-term planning in groups of 2-5.
