Medici (1995)
(1995)AMIGO, Steamforged Games, Grail Games, Rio Grande Games
Medici is a classic auction game where players bid on lots of goods cards to fill their ships and score points. Players compete over three rounds, earning points for the most valuable cargo and for having the most goods of each type, creating tension between spending money and maximizing scoring opportunities.
The Verdict
based on 12 reviews
Steamforged Games' new edition of Medici brings the classic Reiner Knizia auction game back into print with appealing artwork and solid components. It offers tense economic gameplay where money serves as both currency and victory points, making it a timeless Eurogame classic.
This Grail Games edition successfully revitalizes a classic, tight auction game with gorgeous Vincent Dutrait artwork, though the dark score track can be hard to read.
Medici is a classic, fast-paced auction and set-collection game driven by tense bidding and bluffing. While the new production boasts gorgeous components, confusing color mismatches between the board and cards slightly hinder gameplay.
Medici is an exceptionally tense and exciting auction game that combines simple rules with deep player interaction and agonizing choices regarding ship space and push-your-luck tile draws.
This video from Drive Thru Games offers a dedicated review of the physical board game Medici. It likely covers gameplay mechanics, components, and provides an overall assessment of the game.
The video reviews "Medici," calling it a classic, highly recommended auction game. It notes the new version's aesthetic upgrade, but suggests it missed opportunities for variants to improve its abstract gameplay.
GamesRadar+ praises "Medici" as a classic board game that skillfully combines strategic depth for enthusiasts with accessible mechanics for casual players, particularly excelling in its dynamic auctions and fast-paced gameplay with a full table of six.
Gameosity considers Medici an excellent and solid filler game, deserving of its classic status, despite minor criticisms regarding its non-existent theme and a hard-to-read score track.
The reviewer found Medici: The Card Game to be a really nice, fast-paced game that effectively evokes the feel of the original Medici board game without its sometimes slow auction mechanics. He generally likes it, despite finding it a bit dry.
Medici is a brilliant and tense auction game where players balance spending their score-as-currency against the need to win goods and majority awards. Despite its simple rules, it offers profound, calculated decision-making.
The review discusses the Reiner Knizia auction game "Medici", covering its simple, clever gameplay, suitability for various player counts, and the tension of bidding. It highlights the ease of teaching and playing, while noting potential issues like rounds lacking depth and limited variety.
Purge Reviews examines the classic auction game Medici, finding it to be a streamlined but ultimately too simple experience that no longer holds up for their collection. Despite acknowledging its classic design, the reviewer decides to 'purge' the game, feeling it lacks depth for modern tastes.
Similar games
Similar theme
Lists to explore
View all lists & features
Top 25Best 2 player-only board games
Find out which games to play with your loved ones, siblings, friends, kids or parents.
Top 25The 25 best card games
Their components fits nicely in the palm of hands yet the possibilities are endless.
RankedJamey Stegmaier board games, ranked
From Wingspan to Scythe — see how Jamey Stegmaier's games stack up.
Top 25Best Cooperative board games
Win together or lose together — co-op games worth rallying your table around.









