87

Lisboa is a game about the reconstruction of Lisbon after the great earthquake of 1755. Players are members of the nobility who work with architects, the Marquis of Pombal, and the king to rebuild the city, developing commerce and opening buildings. It's known for its deep strategic gameplay, beautiful artwork, and challenging decision-making in what is essentially a sandbox euro game.

87

The Verdict

based on 17 reviews

Positive 0%
Deep, strategic, and rewarding gameplay with highly interconnected systems.
Excellent integration of the historical theme, with game mechanics reflecting the challenges of rebuilding the city.
High-quality components and stunning artwork and graphic design by Ian O'Toole.
Multiple intertwined paths to victory that encourage long-term planning.
Extremely high complexity and a steep learning curve that can be overwhelming for new players.
A long playtime and significant setup time.
The multitude of choices can lead to significant downtime and analysis paralysis.
The board can be viewed as busy and cluttered with a large amount of iconography to learn.
100
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
Bad At Boardgames, Brad Lake and Toph FergusonVideo

This deep-dive review of Lisboa explores its complexity and thematic elements. The reviewers discuss their experiences with the game's 'heaviness' and provide individual assessments and ratings, reflecting on its overall value.

95
StatedThis reviewer gave their own score. We only converted it to our 0–100 scale.
Zatu Games, Louis NobleArticle

Lisboa is a heavy, deeply satisfying Eurogame featuring exceptional production values and classic Vital Lacerda mechanics, though its steep learning curve and polarizing blue aesthetics may deter some players.

95
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
Meeple Mountain, Justin GibbonsArticle

Lisboa is lauded as a thematically rich and complex Lacerda game with streamlined turns, offering deep gameplay, extensive scoring, and high replayability. While praising its historical detail and art, the review notes some bookkeeping and low direct player interaction.

93
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
Board Game QuestArticle

Board Game Quest considers Lisboa an exceptional game with almost perfect execution, offering incredible depth, challenging strategy, and a magnificent visual design, though noting its complexity can be a hurdle for new players.

90
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
The Tabletop CrierArticle

The Tabletop Crier found Lisboa to be a beautiful and deeply interconnected game where every decision matters, creating a tense and rewarding experience that encourages repeated plays despite its lack of clear pivot points.

90
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
Unfiltered Gamer, Michael WrightVideo

The reviewer finds Lisboa to be a rich, beautiful, and elegant heavy Euro-style board game with a ton of strategic depth, making it highly recommended for players who enjoy complex Euro games.

90
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
slickerdrips, slickerdripsVideo

The reviewer highly praises Lisboa for its exceptional thematic integration, lavish production quality, and the way its complex rules lead to fantastically interesting and dynamic gameplay, also noting the strong solo variant.

90
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
The Thoughtful GamerArticle

Lisboa is a complex and initially confusing game that reveals its conceptual brilliance and rewarding depth upon repeated plays, offering a challenging and engaging experience for those willing to master its intricacies.

90
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
Before You Play, Before You PlayVideo

The video from Before You Play offers an extensive look at the board game Lisboa, covering its rules and providing a full playthrough. It concludes with a dedicated review section, evaluating the game's mechanics and overall experience.

90
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
Game Boy Geek, Game Boy GeekVideo

This video offers a concise, two-minute review of the physical board game Lisboa, focusing on its core gameplay mechanics of rebuilding the city after the 1755 earthquake, including visiting nobles, managing influence, and constructing buildings.

90
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
Fuzzy Llama Reviews, Fuzzy LlamaArticle

Lisboa offers deeply thematic and complex political management gameplay centered around rebuilding post-earthquake Lisbon. The reviewer praises its massive double-layered player boards, premium components, and intricate action systems.

90
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
Wolf's Gaming Blog, Baden RonieArticle

Lisboa is an intensely complex, brain-burning eurogame by Vital Lacerda that successfully weaves its historical earthquake-rebuilding theme into stunning components and deeply interconnected mechanics.

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