91

Modern Art is an auction game where players represent art dealers buying and selling paintings by five different artists. Players use four different types of auctions to manipulate the art market, trying to maximize their profits by determining the value of artwork through strategic bidding and selling.

91

The Verdict

based on 18 reviews

Positive 0%
Simple rules with deep and deceptive strategy.
High level of player interaction and engagement.
Strong and immersive theme of art dealing and speculation.
Variety of auction types keeps the gameplay dynamic.
Creates a tense and exciting atmosphere with memorable moments.
The artwork in some editions can be divisive and unappealing to some players.
The initial playthrough can feel basic before players grasp the deeper strategies.
The energy and excitement can sometimes dwindle in the final rounds as outcomes become more predictable.
100
StatedThis reviewer gave their own score. We only converted it to our 0–100 scale.
Meeple Mountain, Joseph BuszekArticle

The reviewer highly praises Modern Art as a masterful auction game by Reiner Knizia, noting its simple rules but deep strategy, intense player interaction, and lasting appeal. They commend the CMON edition for its quality components and thoughtful artistic details, declaring it a "perfect" game that gets better with multiple plays.

100
StatedThis reviewer gave their own score. We only converted it to our 0–100 scale.
There Will Be Games, Andrew McAlpineArticle

The reviewer highly praises Modern Art for its unique blend of simple mechanics and deep, cutthroat social manipulation, perfectly embodying the cynical nature of the art market. They highlight its enduring appeal, excellent theme integration, and quality production, making it a timeless game with engaging player interactions.

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.
BoardGameBollocksVideo

The review praises 'Modern Art' as an essential and one of the best auction games available, highlighting its variety and enjoyment despite minor production issues and fiddly components.

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.
3 Minute Board Games, 3 Minute Board GamesVideo

The video is a concise review of "Modern Art," highlighting its unique player-driven market and varied auction mechanics. The reviewer considers it the best auction game, despite some players finding its core concept initially confusing.

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.
Shut Up & Sit Down, QuinnsVideo

This video is a glowing review of the board game 'Modern Art', with the reviewer highly praising its auction mechanics and declaring it a masterpiece. The review focuses on the CMON edition, highlighting its quality and the engaging nature of the artwork.

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.
The Thoughtful GamerArticle

The Thoughtful Gamer describes Modern Art as a 'gem of a game' with a lean design that creates a fascinating interplay of game theory and human psychology through its expert use of various auction mechanics.

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.
Bitewing GamesArticle

The reviewer highly praises Modern Art as the best looking and best all-around auction game. Its diverse art cards, wooden gavel, and four distinct auction types provide engaging gameplay. The game is a recognized standout.

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.
Roll To Review, David NorrisArticle

Reiner Knizia's Modern Art is an exceptional auction game featuring five distinct bidding styles that blend strategic depth, bluffing, and thematic flair, ultimately edging out similar classics to stand as the pinnacle of pure auction mechanics.

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.
Bangers Project, HogsVideo

The video from Bangers Project reviews the classic auction board game Modern Art, evaluating if it remains a masterpiece or has become a relic in the current gaming landscape. It explores gameplay and assesses its enduring appeal and relevance for modern collections.

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.
Chairman of the Board, Chairman of the BoardVideo

The reviewer praises "Modern Art" as a fantastic and enduring classic auction board game, highly recommending it for its engaging mechanics, replayability, and fun player interaction, particularly at higher player counts.

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.
Board Game Reviews by Josh, JoshArticle

The reviewer highly enjoyed Modern Art, finding it a surprisingly fun auction game that kept them engaged and entertained, describing it as one of the most enjoyable games they had played recently.

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.
Dude! Take Your Turn!, whovian223Article

The reviewer is pleasantly surprised by how much they enjoyed this classic auction game, praising its quick playtime, component quality, and engaging wheeling-and-dealing mechanics despite normally disliking financial deduction elements.

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