Conquest of Paradise
- Players
- 1-4
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 4 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 90 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 12+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 2.5 / 5
- Year
- 2007
About the game
Conquest of Paradise is a game of Polynesian exploration and empire building for 1-4 players, designed by Kevin McPartland. Players sail canoes across an abstract hex map, hoping to discover and colonize the richest island groups while managing scarce resources. Area control, dice-driven combat, and network building combine as you balance exploration, military strength, and cultural development. It plays in about 60-90 minutes and includes a solo mode for lone strategists.
Hobbli's Notes
We like how quickly the core loop teaches (10-15 minutes per the designer) while still leaving room for meaningful strategic tension between expansion and defense. The Polynesian theme is a refreshing change from typical Euro settings, and the solo variant adds nice replay value. It won't out-depth heavier civilization games but delivers efficient, satisfying decisions. A strong pick for fans of light-to-mid civ-building games.
What we like
- Solo mode adds strong single-player value.
- Fast to learn with meaningful strategic depth.
- Distinctive Polynesian exploration theme.
- Balances exploration, combat, and culture-building.
Keep in mind
- Dice-driven combat introduces luck.
- Map abstraction may feel less immersive than hex-and-counter alternatives.
- Limited direct player interaction at lower player counts.
Who it's for
Good for ages 12+ strategy gamers who enjoy area control and exploration games; supports 1-4 players including solo play.
