Leonardo da Vinci
- Players
- 2-5
- 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).
- 3.2 / 5
- Year
- 2006
About the game
Set in Renaissance Florence, Leonardo da Vinci casts you as an aspiring inventor directing workers through workshops and laboratories to bring incredible machines to life. Its innovative bidding twist on worker placement lets you jump ahead of opponents by committing extra workers, so no spot is ever truly locked down. You'll need to juggle acquiring resources with staffing your laboratory to complete inventions while managing a tight cash flow of Florins. With no new resources available in the final two rounds, careful long-term planning is essential to out-invent your rivals.
Hobbli's Notes
Hobbli's team regards Leonardo da Vinci as a classic "gamer's game" from the mid-2000s worker-placement boom, prized for its clever bidding mechanic that keeps every placement spot contestable. The resource-and-cash-flow balancing act rewards players who can plan several turns ahead, especially in the unforgiving endgame. It has a heavier rules footprint and longer downtime than modern lighter worker-placement games, but the depth is real for those who enjoy it. A rewarding pick for fans of classic Euro strategy.
What we like
- Innovative bidding twist on worker placement.
- Deep resource and cash-flow management puzzle.
- Rewarding long-term planning, especially the final rounds.
- Renaissance invention theme is well realized.
Keep in mind
- Significant downtime between turns at higher player counts.
- Steep learning curve for newer euro-gamers.
- Long playtime for a game of its complexity tier.
Who it's for
Best for ages 12+ experienced euro-gamers who enjoy worker placement and bidding mechanics, in groups of 2-5.
