Ishtar: Gardens of Babylon
- Players
- 2-4
- 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.
- 14+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 2.3 / 5
- Year
- 2019
About the game
In Ishtar: Gardens of Babylon, you play a gardener racing to transform the desert into the legendary Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Using a clever rondel system, you plant flowers, gather gems, recruit apprentices, and decide whether to buy blocking trees or valuable upgrades. Every placement ripples outward, opening or closing paths for your rivals. Designed by acclaimed creator Bruno Cathala, the game packs surprising depth into a tight 45-minute playtime. Careful timing and spatial thinking separate the best gardeners from the rest.
Hobbli's Notes
Ishtar shines as a lighter-weight area-influence game with a rondel that forces you to plan several moves ahead. We particularly like how the tile placement decisions double as blocking opportunities against opponents. It's approachable enough for a casual game night but has enough spatial puzzle-solving to satisfy experienced gamers. The 45-minute runtime keeps things from overstaying their welcome.
What we like
- Rondel movement adds a satisfying layer of forward planning.
- Quick 45-minute playtime fits easily into a game night.
- Designed by Bruno Cathala, known for elegant, tightly-tuned mechanisms.
- Multiple paths to victory through gems, trees, and upgrades.
Keep in mind
- Two-player games can feel less dynamic than with a full table.
- Some players may find the theme thin compared to the mechanisms.
Who it's for
Well suited for gamers aged 14+ who enjoy tile-placement and area-influence puzzles, playing best with 3 in a casual-to-mid-weight game night.
