84

Maracaibo is a strategy board game for 1-4 players, designed by Alexander Pfister and set in the Caribbean during the 17th century. Players navigate a roundel map, managing resources, delivering goods, and vying for influence among three competing nations in a 'point salad' Eurogame fashion. It features a robust solo mode with a campaign, offering a deep and engaging experience for experienced gamers.

84

The Verdict

based on 13 reviews

Positive 0%
Mixed 0%
Deep strategy with multiple viable paths to victory and many meaningful choices.
Well-implemented campaign/legacy mode and a strong, challenging solo option.
High replayability due to variable setups and numerous strategic avenues.
Smooth and intuitive gameplay once the rules are understood, despite its medium-heavy weight.
Engaging sailing/Caribbean theme with generally good visuals and aesthetics.
Can lead to analysis paralysis due to the abundance of choices and intertwined mechanisms.
The game is a 'table hog' with many components and can have a lengthy setup time, especially for solo play.
The 'race to the end of the round' mechanism, where another player's decisions can dictate the round length, is not universally loved.
Some criticisms exist regarding certain component aesthetics and a potentially problematic colonial theme.
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.
Man vs Meeple, Ryan SchoonVideo

The reviewer highly praises Maracaibo, calling it a highly replayable sandbox game with solid solo play and excellent card mechanics, despite acknowledging a lengthy teaching process and some issues with the player board's production quality.

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.
Board of it, Board of itVideo

This video by Board Of It reviews the physical board game Maracaibo, offering insights into its mechanics and overall gameplay. The review covers general thoughts, legacy components, and includes how-to-play elements.

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.
Punchboard, AdamArticle

Maracaibo is a heavy, component-rich Eurogame by Alexander Pfister that offers deep strategic variety through hand management, variable movement lengths, and a brilliant, resettable campaign mode.

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.
MeepleTown, MeepleTownVideo

This MeepleTown video offers both a gameplay explanation and a review of the physical board game Maracaibo. It covers how to play the game and provides an opinion on its various aspects 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.
The Opinionated Gamers, TeryArticle

The reviewer enjoys Maracaibo, praising its wide variety of meaningful choices and multiple viable paths to victory that fit well with the theme, despite the game's complexity.

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 Dice Tower, Tom VaselVideo

Tom Vasel from The Dice Tower delivers a comprehensive review of the economic exploration board game, Maracaibo. He details the gameplay mechanics and offers his final assessment of Alexander Pfister's design, focusing on the physical edition of the base game.

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 Dice Treasures, Board Of ItVideo

The reviewer highly praises Maracaibo as one of their personal favorites, finding it a fun and well-balanced game with enjoyable mechanics, despite some aesthetic issues with the components.

87
StatedThis reviewer gave their own score. We only converted it to our 0–100 scale.
Mr-BoardgamesArticle

Maracaibo is a deeply strategic and mechanically rich expert game with great replayability and a campaign mode, though its long setup, cluttered components, and rulebook might deter novices.

80
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.
ThinkerThemer, ThinkerThemerVideo

ThinkerThemer provides a comprehensive review of Maracaibo, examining its mechanics and theme from the viewpoints of 'Thinker' (mechanics-focused) and 'Themer' (theme-focused). They discuss the game's strengths and weaknesses, offering an overall opinion on whether it's worth owning.

75
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 features a playthrough and review of the physical board game Maracaibo, designed by Alexander Pfister. It covers the rules, gameplay, and offers an overall assessment of the game, including its solo and campaign modes.

75
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.
Jesta ThaRogue, Jesta ThaRogueArticle

Maracaibo is a complex Eurogame featuring a path-movement mechanism similar to Great Western Trail. Despite a heavy setup and busy components, it offers a fun, strategic experience for players who enjoy planning and combos.

75
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 Broken Meeple, Luke HectorVideo

The Broken Meeple provides an in-depth review of Maracaibo, a heavy strategy game by Alexander Pfister set in the Caribbean. The reviewer, who has had mixed experiences with Pfister's heavier titles, expresses enjoyment for Maracaibo's gameplay, which involves sailing, managing cards, and increasing influence across nations.

55
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 Hot Takes, Board Game Hot TakesVideo

This video offers a 'hot take' review of the board game Maracaibo, examining its game mechanics, production quality, and the reviewers' general impressions. It provides an in-depth look at the game's various aspects.

Stay in the loop

Fresh reviews, hyped games and top lists — straight to your inbox, once a week.

Board Game Verdict

© 2026 Board Game Verdict

AboutMethodologyEthicsFAQContact usPrivacy policy·····