Rhodes

About this board game

Rhodes is a 2016 board game for 2-5 players, with an average play time of 90 minutes. Set in 292 BC, it places players on the prosperous Greek island of Rhodes beneath the watch of the Colossus.

Egyptian ships arrive in the harbor carrying gold, while Greek farmers produce goods on their lands. To expand and develop, players must find income by sailing to the harbor with olives, grapes, grain, and goat milk. The value of those goods is never entirely certain.

The game’s standout feature is its dynamic market system. Ships sailing into the harbor automatically adjust the prices of the goods offered there, while the players collectively influence what happens in the market. Selling at the right moment can be profitable, but keeping fresh products in storage may create better opportunities in future rounds.

• High player interaction across markets, production, and player sequence
• Tactical and strategic choices in a light expert game
• Income for farmers when other players buy their goods
• Multiple paths through land expansion, special skills, and victory-point opportunities

Players can develop their lands with their earnings, acquire skills that help them bypass the markets, or pursue victory points in different ways. Creating a monopoly—or simply making a good scarce—can also shape the market and open new possibilities.

With its shifting prices and interconnected decisions, Rhodes rewards merchants who recognize opportunities without relying on a one-sided strategy. Every market interaction can affect the farmers around the table, making each choice part of a larger economic contest.