Edit Game
Lisboa box image

Lisboa

Lisboa is a heavy euro-style board game designed by Vital Lacerda. Players take on the roles of influential nobles in 18th century Lisbon, rebuilding the city after a devastating earthquake and tsunami. The game features intricate economic and political mechanics, as well as stunning artwork and components.

8.19 / 10
BGG Rating
12+
age
2017
published year
1 - 4
player count
1 - 4
Recommended player count
60 - 120 mins
play time

How Complex is Lisboa?

4.58 / 5

Lisboa is a highly complex game with intricate economic and political mechanics, making it challenging to learn and play, especially for new players.

How much Luck is involved in the gameplay of Lisboa?

1.5 / 5

Luck plays a minor role in Lisboa, as players have control over their actions and can mitigate the impact of random events. However, card draws and dice rolls can still affect the game.

How much Player Interaction does Lisboa offer?

3 / 5

Lisboa has limited direct player interaction, but players must compete for resources and influence in the rebuilding of Lisbon. The game also features a shared market and randomized events that can affect all players.

How much Replayability does Lisboa offer?

4 / 5

Lisboa offers high replayability due to the multiple paths to victory, variable setup, and randomized events. Each game presents new challenges and opportunities for strategic decision-making.

Why you should play Lisboa

Unique Theme

Lisboa is set in the city of Lisbon during the 18th century, which is a unique and interesting theme that is not commonly explored in board games.

Strategic Gameplay

The game offers a deep and complex gameplay experience that requires careful planning and strategy to succeed.

Beautiful Artwork

The game features stunning artwork that captures the beauty and history of the city of Lisbon.

High Replayability

With multiple paths to victory and a variety of different strategies to explore, Lisboa offers high replayability and will keep players coming back for more.

Engaging Mechanics

The game features a variety of engaging mechanics, including resource management, worker placement, and card drafting, that make for a challenging and rewarding gameplay experience.

Award-Winning

Lisboa has won multiple awards, including the Golden Geek Award for Best Strategy Board Game in 2018.

Designed by a Renowned Designer

The game was designed by Vital Lacerda, a renowned board game designer known for his complex and strategic games.

Why you should avoid Lisboa

Complexity

The game is quite complex and may be overwhelming for players who are new to strategic board games.

Lengthy Gameplay

The game can take several hours to play, which may not be suitable for players who prefer shorter games.

High Learning Curve

The game has a steep learning curve, which may require multiple playthroughs to fully understand the rules and mechanics.

Limited Player Interaction

The game has limited player interaction, which may not appeal to players who prefer games with more direct player-to-player interaction.

Expensive

The game is relatively expensive compared to other board games, which may not be feasible for players on a tight budget.

Where to find the Rules of Lisboa

You can find the community-driven rules summary, player aid, etc., in the Lisboa files section on the BoardGameGeek website. You need an account on BGG to download files.

Beginner Strategies for Lisboa

These strategies are for players who have either not played or played one or two games of Lisboa.

Focus on building your influence

Influence is the key resource in Lisboa, as it allows you to take actions and score points. Try to build up your influence early on by completing royal favors and building buildings that grant influence.

Pay attention to the King's favors

The King's favors are a great way to earn influence and score points. Try to complete as many as you can, but also be mindful of the costs involved.

Balance your actions

Lisboa is a game of balancing different actions and resources. Try to balance your actions between building buildings, completing royal favors, and taking other actions that grant influence.

Use your assistants wisely

Assistants are a valuable resource in Lisboa, as they allow you to take extra actions. Try to use your assistants strategically to maximize your actions and influence.

Plan ahead

Lisboa is a game that requires planning and foresight. Try to plan ahead and anticipate your opponents' moves to stay ahead of the game.

Don't neglect the navy

The navy is an important aspect of Lisboa, as it allows you to trade goods and earn points. Don't neglect building ships and trading goods, as they can be a valuable source of points.

Keep an eye on the endgame

The endgame in Lisboa can come quickly, so be mindful of the scoring conditions and plan accordingly. Try to score points in multiple ways to ensure a strong finish.

Advanced Strategies for Lisboa

Focus on building your own engine

As you become more familiar with the game, you'll start to see the different ways you can build your own engine to generate influence and points. Try to focus on building a strong engine that can sustain itself throughout the game.

Pay attention to the other players' strategies

As you become more experienced with the game, you'll start to see the different strategies that other players are using. Try to pay attention to their moves and anticipate their next moves to stay ahead of the game.

Use the action spaces to block your opponents

The action spaces in Lisboa are limited, so try to use them to block your opponents from taking the actions they need. This can be a powerful way to slow down your opponents and gain an advantage.

Be mindful of the scoring conditions

The scoring conditions in Lisboa can change from game to game, so be mindful of the conditions for the current game. Try to score points in multiple ways to ensure a strong finish.

Take risks

As you become more experienced with the game, don't be afraid to take risks and try new strategies. Sometimes taking a risk can pay off big and give you a significant advantage.

Use the navy to your advantage

The navy can be a powerful tool in Lisboa, so try to use it to your advantage. Build ships and trade goods to earn points and gain influence.

Don't neglect the importance of the nobles

The nobles can be a valuable source of influence and points, so don't neglect them. Try to build buildings that grant nobles and complete royal favors that involve nobles to gain an advantage.

Mechanics

Tile Placement
Hand Management
Open Drafting
Area Majority / Influence
Solo / Solitaire Game

Categories

Political
Economic
City Building
Industry / Manufacturing