The Princes of Florence
- Players
- 1-5
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 5 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 100 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 12+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 3.2 / 5
- Year
- 2000
About the game
The Princes of Florence is a Renaissance-era euro classic in which players compete to attract artists and scholars to their courts. Over seven rounds, an escalating auction determines who acquires buildings, landscape features, and freedoms needed to satisfy each profession's preferences. Work points earned from these professions convert into money or victory points, but the threshold required each round keeps climbing, forcing tough trade-offs. It's a tight, elegant design built almost entirely around auction strategy.
Hobbli's Notes
A foundational modern euro that still holds up: the auction mechanism is razor-sharp and punishes complacency. It rewards players who can read the table and time their bids, though its dry Renaissance theme is more of a wrapper than a lived experience.
What we like
- Sharp, tense auction mechanism drives every decision.
- Rising scoring thresholds keep the game from stalling.
- Elegant rules for the depth of strategy offered.
- Ages well as a modern euro classic.
Keep in mind
- Theme feels abstract and pasted-on rather than immersive.
- Auction-heavy design can feel unforgiving to new players.
- Limited direct interaction outside of bidding.
Who it's for
A great fit for euro-strategy fans aged 12+ who enjoy auction-driven games; best with 3-5 players who like tight economic competition.
