Designed by Bruno Cathala and Ludovic Maublanc, Cleopatra and the Society of Architects is a fun and engaging family game that includes a true, three-dimensional palace that players compete to build. Players strive to become the wealthiest of Cleopatra’s architects by constructing the most magnificent and valuable parts of her palace.
Players, however, will be tempted to deal with shady characters and trade in materials of dubious origins in order to help them build faster. While these corrupt practices might allow an architect to stay a step ahead of the rest, they come with a high price – cursed Corruption Amulets honoring Sobek, the Crocodile-god. When Cleopatra finally strolls into her new palace, at the end of the game, the most corrupt architect (the one with the most amulets) will be seized and offered as a sacrifice to her sacred crocodile! Only then will the wealthiest architect, from among those still alive, be selected and declared the winner of the game.
“The component design in Cleopatra is the most innovative we’ve undertaken to date,” said Days of Wonder CEO, Eric Hautemont. “While it’s still a board game, the dozens of 3D pieces – Column walls, Doorframes, Obelisks, Sphinxes, and Palace Throne – all create the sense that you’re constructing a royal palace.”
“The game play really forces players into continually weighing the risks and rewards between taking enough corruption to enhance your position in the game, but not so much that you are forced out of the game at the end,” said the game’s co-designer, Bruno Cathala. “It’s a classic ‘push your luck’ dilemma that continually raises the tension level higher and higher until the game reaches its climax.”
Description from the publisher.
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- it's just like I say if you wanted me to write these it's a case of how often do I see it versus how much it annoys me when I see it
- it's only a game take care just have fun
- we'll have this done in about an hour and a half tops
- stop the whiner and Mona deserves at a free spot
- it's not a life-or-death decision and move on
- just pick one and go with it live with the consequences of your actions
- this is the not paying attention thing but the aftermath of not paying attention during the rules explanation
- it's like shut up like I don't need to know all this
- it's childish it's just plain simple childish
- it's only a game
References (from this video)
- clever corruption mechanic
- elegant scoring around corruption and secrets
- set-up can be fiddly due to many components
- not frequently played due to complexity
- Corruption as a scoring and risk mechanic
- Ancient city development with architecture and corruption
- Thematic, with a hint of intrigue around the crocodiles
- High Society
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- card column drafting — choose a column of cards to draw and draft for your tableau
- corruption tracking — powerful cards increase corruption; at game's end the most corrupted is punished
- set collection / resource management — collect resources and cards to build architecture and score
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- this is one of the best racing games out there
- this one's a keeper
- corruption mechanic you play certain cards and if they're more powerful they get you corruption
- I love games that do this
- Yamatai is severely underrated
- the board is absolutely gorgeous
- it's a color puzzle
References (from this video)
- Smart market mechanics that affect decision making
- Appealing presentation and theme
- Some versions criticized for deluxe components relative to weight
- Monument-building with market mechanics
- Ancient Egypt-inspired architecture contest
- Household-iconic theme with modern production
- Machi Koro (market and build feel, but with different scope)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- market drafting — Face-up market of cards with a mixed up pricing mechanic
- Modular board with tiles and market cards — Construct monuments and manage market cards to gain benefits
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- you can't stop
- the more people are into it, the better it is
- it's a Dice Tower essential
- a masquerade of classic and modern designs