Ex Libris
- Players
- 1-4
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 3 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 45 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 10+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 2.5 / 5
- Year
- 2017
About the game
Ex Libris casts players as book collectors in a gnomish village competing to become the Mayor's new Grand Librarian. You send assistants out to acquire the finest tomes, racing opponents to scarce sources before the Official Inspector arrives to grade your library on shelf order, variety, and even banned books. Hand management, drafting, and careful shelf placement combine into a charming set-collection puzzle. A built-in solo mode lets you take on the challenge by yourself as well.
Hobbli's Notes
A delightfully themed worker-placement game that turns library organizing into a genuinely tense race against your opponents and the clock. The shelving puzzle is clever, though it can slow the game down as players fuss over placement. Its whimsical bookish theme is a real highlight for anyone who loves libraries.
What we like
- Charming library and book-collecting theme.
- Real-time worker placement adds tension.
- Solo mode included for single-player play.
- Satisfying set-collection and shelf-organizing scoring.
Keep in mind
- Shelf-sorting fiddliness can slow down turns.
- Fairly limited direct interaction between players.
- Niche bookish theme may not draw in every group.
Who it's for
Euro gamers aged 10 and up who enjoy thematic worker-placement and set-collection puzzles, including solo players.
