The Magnificent
- Players
- 1-4
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 2 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 90 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 14+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 3.1 / 5
- Year
- 2019
About the game
The Magnificent has players building a traveling circus, attracting audiences with magnificent performers while expanding their camp using Tetris-style tile placement. Each turn you take a die whose value, combined with dice you've already collected of the same color, determines the strength of your build, travel, or performance actions: but collecting more dice of one color costs more coins at round's end. Ringmaster cards provide special powers and end-of-round scoring goals that must be balanced against each other. Over three rounds, players compete to draw the largest, most magnificent crowds.
Hobbli's Notes
The Magnificent, from the Santa Maria design team, layers a clever risk/reward dice-drafting puzzle under a whimsical circus theme with gorgeous Martin Mottet art. Hobbli's team enjoys the tension of deciding whether to hoard dice of one color for a bigger action or spread out to save coins. It's a satisfying mid-weight Eurogame for players who like tight resource puzzles wrapped in charming theming.
What we like
- Clever dice-drafting risk/reward mechanism.
- Charming circus theme with beautiful artwork.
- Tetris-style tile placement adds spatial puzzle depth.
- Solid solo mode extends replayability.
Keep in mind
- Coin-cost mechanic can be punishing for miscalculations.
- Rules overhead may slow first-time players.
- Theme, while charming, doesn't heavily influence gameplay decisions.
Who it's for
Suited to strategy gamers aged 12+ who enjoy dice-drafting and tile-placement puzzles, playable solo or in groups up to 4.
