BoardGame Verdict
86

Players take on the role of Renaissance merchants collecting gems to purchase mines, transportation, and artisans who produce even more gems. The goal is to be the first to acquire 15 prestige points by building an efficient gem-producing engine.

86

The Verdict

based on 56 reviews

Positive 0%
Mixed 0%
High-quality, weighty gem tokens
Easy to learn, teach; great gateway game
Fast-paced, quick turns and playtime
Strategic depth for experienced players
Good replayability through card randomness
Thin, generic, or "pasted-on" theme
Limited strategic variety for some
Low player interaction; can feel an "optimization puzzle"
Turns can be uninteresting or obvious
100
Board Game Hot Takes, Board Game Hot TakesVideo

The reviewer highly praises Splendor, placing it among the top three for its exceptional 'toy factor,' indicating that its components and tactile experience significantly enhance the gameplay.

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100
Games with Austin, AustinVideo

The reviewer enthusiastically praises Splendor as a nearly flawless, addictive, and competitive game with intuitive gameplay, balanced rules, and rich, striking visuals.

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95
One Board FamilyArticle

This review describes "Splendor" as a nearly perfect gateway game and a must-own title, praising its high-quality components, beautiful presentation, and simple yet engaging engine-building mechanics. The game is celebrated for being extremely easy to teach and quick to play.

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95
Board Game ReviewArticleTop List

All in all, Splendor is a great game. It makes for a brilliant family experience, as even my 9 year old son can win fair and square.

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95
Gaming with Edo & Jessica, Jamey StegmaierVideo

Jamey Stegmaier highly recommends Splendor, calling it a wonderful game that is easy to learn and teach, while also providing a satisfying engine-building experience and encouraging player interaction through short-term goals.

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95
Never Bored Gaming, WesVideo

The reviewer highly praises Splendor as a quick, strategic game that involves satisfying puzzle-like decision-making, considering it one of their long-time favorite board games.

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95
Board Game TipsArticleTop List

Splendor beckons you into the vibrant world of Renaissance merchants, where the pursuit of gem mines, modes of transportation, and opulent shops is the path to acquiring prestigious points. In this strategic game of chip-collecting and card development, your goal is to amass wealth and influence that will make you the most renowned merchant of the era.

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95
Wirecutter (NYT), James AustinArticleTop List

This gem-collecting game is easy to learn but requires enough strategy that it keeps players enthralled over multiple rounds.

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95
Games With Denver James, Denver JamesVideo

The reviewer enthusiastically praises Splendor as a nearly flawless and massively addicting modern classic, highlighting its smooth and intuitive gameplay, alongside its rich and striking visuals, deeming it one of the best games of the decade.

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95
Meeple Mountain, Tom FranklinArticle

This game is so minimal yet so deep and clever that I wish I could play it again for the first time just to re-experience that incredible sense of wonder I had at just how good it is.

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90
The Board Game HubArticle

This review regards Splendor as a triumph of elegant game design that masterfully balances simplicity with strategic depth. Its high-quality components and excellent replayability are highlighted as key strengths, making it a worthy addition to any collection.

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90
Nerds of the West, ChrisVideo

The reviewer enthusiastically recommends Splendor Duel, highlighting its excellent design, smooth mechanics, and beautiful artwork. They found nothing to criticize, emphasizing the game's satisfying and fun two-player experience, enhanced by its interactive elements.

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