Ragusa
- Players
- 1-5
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 4 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 80 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 12+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 2.8 / 5
- Year
- 2019
About the game
Set in the historic city of Ragusa (modern-day Dubrovnik), players take on the role of merchants and builders in the 15th century, constructing towers, boosting trade with the East, and vying for prestige. Houses placed between hexes act as worker-placement pieces that trigger three adjacent spaces at once, gathering resources in the countryside or unlocking actions in the city. Fluctuating commodity values reward smart trading timing, and building near other players' houses can reactivate their pieces, creating a deep engine-building layer beneath the worker-placement core. The game ends once all houses are placed, with the highest score winning.
Hobbli's Notes
Fabio Lopiano's hex-based worker-placement here is quietly brilliant: the interlocking triggers mean your opponents' placements matter almost as much as your own. It rewards spatial planning and long-term engine-building without becoming overly fiddly. A great pick for euro-gamers who enjoy Lopiano's other work like Merv and Vadoran Gardens.
What we like
- The interlocking hex-placement system creates satisfying engine-building depth.
- Reactivating other players' houses adds a clever layer of interaction to worker placement.
- Fluctuating commodity prices reward smart timing and trading decisions.
- The historical Ragusa setting is richly and thematically realized.
Keep in mind
- The interlocking triggers require some upfront explanation to fully grasp.
- At 80 minutes with high complexity, it's not ideal for casual or first-time gamers.
- Analysis paralysis can slow the game as players calculate optimal placements.
Who it's for
Euro-strategy fans aged 12+ who enjoy engine-building worker placement, for 1-5 players including solo play.
