East India Companies
- Players
- 2-4
- 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).
- 3.0 / 5
- Year
- 2023
About the game
East India Companies puts players in charge of an 18th-century shipping company trading tea, spices, coffee, and silk between Europe and India's trading posts. You'll manage a fleet of ships, buy and sell shares in your own and rival companies, and watch the market's constantly fluctuating prices to time your trades for maximum profit. Choosing between fast, low-tonnage ships or slower vessels with larger cargo holds shapes your trading strategy across the game. With stock holding, worker placement, and pick-up-and-deliver mechanics intertwined, every decision ripples into your opponents' options.
Hobbli's Notes
This is a meaty economic Euro that rewards players who like tracking market swings and planning several moves ahead. The stock-investment layer adds a nice extra dimension beyond simple trade routes, though it does raise the complexity and playtime considerably. It's best suited to a group that already enjoys heavier trading games and won't be put off by a two-hour session.
What we like
- Deep interplay between stock investment and trade routes.
- Fluctuating market prices keep every trade decision meaningful.
- Choice between ship types adds a layer of strategic customization.
- Rich historical trading theme grounded in real 18th-century commerce.
Keep in mind
- Two-hour playtime and high complexity may not suit casual groups.
- Market speculation can feel punishing if timing goes wrong.
- Some downtime possible while other players plan complex turns.
Who it's for
Recommended for experienced Euro gamers aged 14 and up who enjoy economic strategy, market speculation, and trade-route games, in groups of two to four.
