BoardGame Verdict
90

Players assume the roles of colonial governors on the island of Puerto Rico, aiming to amass victory points by shipping goods and constructing buildings. The game features a unique role selection mechanism where players choose roles that benefit them more than others, with all players participating in each selected action.

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90

The Verdict

based on 15 reviews

Positive 0%
Engaging role-selection mechanic that involves all players on every turn.
Deep strategic gameplay with multiple viable paths to victory.
High replayability due to variable strategies and player decisions.
Well-balanced mechanics that require careful planning and resource management.
High level of player interaction, forcing players to consider their opponents' actions.
The colonial theme and representation of "colonists" have been widely criticized as ignoring the history of slavery.
An experienced player can have a significant advantage over a new player, particularly based on seating order.
The artwork and components of the original 2002 edition are considered dated by some.
100
Board Game TipsArticle

“Puerto Rico offers deep strategy in a colonial setting, with hidden scoring adding to the excitement.”

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100
BoardGameCo, AlexVideo

The reviewer expressed immense love for the game, describing it as a clever design that they constantly think about. They particularly appreciated the beautiful components of the Special Edition and highly recommended it.

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95
Legends of Nerdvana, Legends of NerdvanaVideo

The reviewer highly praises Puerto Rico 1897 Special Edition, calling it a fantastic game and a timeless classic that holds up incredibly well, with one reviewer even stating it is their favorite Euro game of all time. They appreciate the beautiful special edition components and find it a truly great game despite some minor quirks.

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90
3 Minute Board Games, J from 3 Minute Board GamesVideo

The reviewer praises Puerto Rico's brilliant action selection system and tight gameplay, noting its many meaningful decisions and strategic depth. However, they acknowledge the game's polarizing colonial theme, which is undeniably present and a significant consideration for players.

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90
Board Gaming Ramblings, JohannesVideo

The reviewer highly praises Puerto Rico as an exceptionally well-designed game, emphasizing its brilliant action selection system and the abundance of meaningful strategic choices available to players, despite acknowledging the game's polarizing colonial theme.

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90
Gaming Rules!, Paul GroganVideo

The reviewer regards Puerto Rico as a historically significant and great game, intending to explore if it continues to stand the test of time and remain enjoyable for modern players.

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90
Ryan and Bethany Board Game Reviews, Ryan and BethanyVideo

Ryan and Bethany consider "Puerto Rico" a fantastic and highly replayable game that solidified their love for the board gaming hobby, praising its engaging role selection and viable strategies, despite finding the artwork somewhat uninspired.

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90
Legendary Tactics, RayVideo

The reviewer considers Puerto Rico an excellent strategy board game, comparing it favorably to chess for its intellectual challenge, replayability, and engaging gameplay. He highlights the rewarding sense of accomplishment players feel as their colony grows and decisions prove impactful.

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90
BoardGameBollocksVideo

The reviewer considers Puerto Rico an all-time classic strategy game that remains highly enjoyable and relevant, despite acknowledging its outdated components and controversial colonial theme.

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90
I Slay the Dragon, FarmerLennyArticle

“Puerto Rico, in short, is a game that does not disappoint. The rules are simple, the gameplay is clever with lots of good choices, and the game feels balanced.”

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90
The Boardgame Mechanics, JasonVideo

Jason from The Boardgame Mechanics describes Puerto Rico as an incredible and fantastic classic, praising its amazing action selection mechanism and the deep strategic timing required for choosing roles, despite acknowledging its poor components and discussing the controversial, albeit abstract, theme.

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90
When Harry Met Board Games, HarryVideo

The reviewer considers Puerto Rico a timeless classic in board gaming, praised for its elegant and streamlined design that offers challenging gameplay. Despite its age and potentially dry aesthetic for some, its innovative role selection and deep strategy make it a highly regarded and enduring game.

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85
Board Game Review, Ashley PerrymanArticle

“Puerto Rico deserves the accolades and ratings because game play is challenging and highly interactive, thematic, and there are a wide variety of possible strategies to employ to gain those victory points.”

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80
Nerdly, Matthew SmailArticle

“Having played about ten games of Puerto Rico, I have no doubt that it deserves to be considered a fantastic game and it certainly stands up to modern competition, however it also reveals its secrets very slowly and whilst it’s quick to learn, it’s a real brain burner when it comes to working out the best way to win.”

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80
The Dice Tower, Tom VaselVideo

Tom Vasel considers Puerto Rico a fantastically designed and elegant game, praising its innovative role-selection mechanic and the rewarding strategic depth that encourages numerous replays.

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