Venice

About this board game

Venice is a strategy game for 1–5 players, with a playing time of about 90 minutes, set in the titular city during the 16th century. Players become influential merchants navigating the canals by gondola while building businesses, completing contracts, and pursuing political power.

Each player moves two gondolas around the board. As a gondola travels, its assistants can be activated when passing buildings where they are assigned, while the assistant at the movement’s destination can be trained to improve its capabilities. These assistants provide resources, trading opportunities, money, and other actions based on their locations.

Resources are placed in the gondolas and used to fulfill lucrative contracts. However, the canals have limited space, and passing another merchant’s boat spreads gossip. This raises a player’s suspicion with the Venetian Inquisition, creating a constant tension between commercial opportunity and caution.

• Move two gondolas through Venice’s interconnected canals.
• Activate assistants to gain resources, trade, earn money, and perform other actions.
• Train assistants and fulfill contracts for profit.
• Manage suspicion through church and academic visits or donations—or risk unsavory activities for money or information.

Suspicion can be reduced through visits and donations to the church or academic institutions, but merchants may also choose to take greater risks. Being well known can support a political career, yet the most suspicious player at game end is made an example of by the Inquisition and cannot win, even with the most points.

With its blend of movement, assistant development, contracts, influence, and social risk, Venice makes reputation as important as wealth. The game also includes a solo mode by David Turczi and Xavi Bordes.