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Game Info
Year
2022
Players
1-4
Age
14+
Playtime
90 min
Collection
Your Tier
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Description
On the hill of Al-Sabika in Granada, the Nasrid dynasty created one of the most impressive constructions in history, the Alhambra.
In Sabika, you play the role of one of the Nasrid nobles who contributed to the construction of the towers, gardens, and palaces of this ancient monument. In addition to this honorable task, you have to establish trade routes through Europe and the Maghreb. These routes will provide you with sufficient income to be able to take on the demanding tribute that has been commanded by the Catholic Monarchs. In exchange for your work, you will receive military protection against the various conflicts of the Taifas Kingdom.
Sabika implements a novel mechanism that integrates three interrelated rondels. Each rondel focuses on a different scenario: the construction of the Alhambra, the carving of poems in its halls, and the export of goods along the trade routes. All of this takes place over five eras (rounds), and at the end of the fifth round, the player who has accumulated the most prestige points takes the victory.
—description from the publisher
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All mentions
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 10
This page: 10
Sentiment:
pos 8 ·
mix 0 ·
neu 1 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–10 of 10
Video _quG5frH1CA
Brains On Games Discussion at 0:16 sentiment: positive
video_pk 90649 · mention_pk 242396
Click to watch at 0:16 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Fast, simultaneous play that develops spelling and vocabulary
- Encourages creative word formation and mental rotation
- Low setup and tactile, recycled components; accommodates multiple players
- Educational value with emphasis on rapid naming skills
Cons
- Very fast pace can be challenging for younger players
- Rotating letters can be visually confusing for some letters
- Strategic planning can be difficult due to simultaneous play
Thematic elements
- Word construction, letter transformation, and quick thinking under time pressure.
- Casual family game with a focus on spelling and word creation, using wooden coffee-bean-shaped tiles on a table.
- Educational and playful
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- End-game scoring by resources — Scoring is based on the number of beans (tiles) each player has; tiebreakers use the longest word.
- Letter rotation — Certain letters can be rotated to form different letters (e.g., M/W, E).
- Refresh mechanic — If agreed, players flip two beans to refresh letters and continue.
- simultaneous action — All players act at once rather than taking turns, racing to form words.
- Simultaneous Actions — All players act at once rather than taking turns, racing to form words.
- Wild cards / blanks — Blank tiles function as wild cards and can be added to words.
- Word Building — Players can steal words by adding letters or rotating letters to modify existing words.
- Word Stealing — Players can steal words by adding letters or rotating letters to modify existing words.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This is a fast simultaneously played word game where you're developing those spelling skills.
- It's a game that requires no setup and literally how you start this game is just by dumping the pieces out on the table.
- The letters can be turned to make different letters.
- Rapid automatic naming is a really important skill that helps reading speed.
- You might be able to spell words from here, you can steal words from your opponent.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video YDyUu3aLn8s
Watch It Played Game News at 7:38 sentiment: positive
video_pk 89543 · mention_pk 238031
Click to watch at 7:38 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Contribute to the construction of the Alhambra
- Establish trade routes
- Novel mechanism integrating three interrelated rondelles
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Construction of the Alhambra
- Granada, Hill of Al-Sabica (The Alhambra)
Comparison games
- Alhambra
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Resource Management — Establish trade routes and ensure sufficient income to take on the task.
- Worker Placement — Utilizes three interrelated rondelles.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I was very happy when a big new Days of Wonder game was announced.
- There's no way in a million years and I'm not trying this game.
- More Wingspan makes me happy it's a wonderful game.
- All that makes for a must try game for me.
- I love the whole look of this version.
- The thief has promised to be a tense stealth-like video game feel with it.
- If we do what may be excited about this one.
- I love these games so more is what I want. One a year please.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video znOH3N5dIn8
Meeple University Top 10 List at 1:44 sentiment: neutral
video_pk 89332 · mention_pk 237030
Click to watch at 1:44 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Village Green which I really enjoy
- that's life that's like one of the best like Cooperative games ever
- Polynesia you know what came out last year
- Sushi or sushi I have no idea to pronounce it I'm sorry
- it's a bit long but it's very interesting mechanics it evolving in some ways
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video t47jFiuUQx4
Meeple University Top 10 List at 10:07 sentiment: positive
video_pk 89371 · mention_pk 237232
Click to watch at 10:07 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Features multiple rondels
- From designers of Bitoku
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Middle Eastern-ish
Comparison games
- Bitoku
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Rondel — Features multiple rondels.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- uh yes sister Ami yes by boarding guys and it has rondel worker placement game Wheel rather than a Rondo thank you thank you um but it was you know for everything that you'll see here it's fundamentally a uh simple worker placement leading to a tile placement but it's very interesting tile placement
- plain craft this is this was successfully kick-started we this is the deluxe edition with beautiful components by cardboard I can't say things right now cardboard Alchemy yeah very uh very big in the hotness at the moment this one indeed indeed
- next one is Evergreen now this is by the designer of photosynthesis it has some same feeling but I think it's not as special as rotationally as photosynthesis yeah you really struggle to uh to visualize what was going on with photosynthesis and even I did and I can rotate stuff in my head oh right yeah it's very challenging that one yeah this one Evergreen
- next one is endless winter now this is this is the uh the Australian version which has got gas Studios so I am part of goth Studios with Mark and Carl so there's no way I'm gonna review this game I'm just telling you that I think this is going to be it's well anticipated well anticipated it'll be a in my anticipated list not because I want to get it but because I'm excited for our partner Fantasia games so it's liberation
- if you're in Australia um Essen weekend corresponds with Pax Australia week and it'll be a demo there as well and hopefully be for sale there as well
- this is we're helping Mozart in his last days and this is also it is going to be I think it's really good the components are great it's double layered it's from Denver games which is the rectil guys let me show you the back of the box it boxes kind of like typical Euro gaming and I was looking at the components I was punching it out the other day and look at this side it's so cool it's like it's music book but it's a double layer player board ta-da it we have not played this yet as of today but it looks like kind of like the Concordia style card play which the deck building pool building pool action Action Pool thank you so theme is great so excited for this one
- so again what are your release am I going to see you at Essen let me know let us know in the comments section below and I'll be happy to also check it out maybe it is your game maybe someone else's game I don't care in any cases write in the comments and I'll check it out anything else Sam
- if you enjoy this video and you want us to make this sort of video or you know maybe our most anticipated other games or our whole Essence Hall games it's probably like should be another one which is showing and then compare this video with the next one anyways if you do that please let us know like the video comments below and subscribe and hit the bell
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 6bDeTK9PTIM
Board Gaming Ramblings Top 20 List at 11:01 sentiment: positive
video_pk 89364 · mention_pk 237170
Click to watch at 11:01 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- three interlocking rondelles is visually appealing and mechanically interesting
Cons
- new-to-us central mechanism may require learning
Thematic elements
- URL nobility and lineage
- noble family dynamics in Alhambra and a multi-part rondelle
- economic/strategic with social intrigue
Comparison games
- Ginkgopolis
- Vizor Noir
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Rondel — interconnected rondelles used to take actions and progress
- three-part rondelle — interconnected rondelles used to take actions and progress
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- please subscribe to the channel if you haven't done so
- it's a button down there it's free and it helps us out a lot
- I cannot wait to play the final version of the game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video sOAe7z-Tddw
Watch It Played Top 10 List at 0:24 sentiment: positive
video_pk 89232 · mention_pk 236681
Click to watch at 0:24 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- monument construction, poetry carving, and trade routes
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- multiple rondelle actions — Three interrelated rondelles guide different activities tied to the Sabika experience.
- Rondel — Three interrelated rondelles guide different activities tied to the Sabika experience.
- rondelle-based action selection — Sabika uses three interrelated rondelles, each focusing on a different scenario (monument construction, poem carving, and goods export).
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's survival of the fittest
- you good at making predictions I knew you'd say that
- care for what you wish for
- the game where blank minds think alike
- "Sabika implements three interrelated rondelles"
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video ACx6W_QOeiA
Meeple University Unboxing at 32:46 sentiment: positive
video_pk 89305 · mention_pk 236965
Click to watch at 32:46 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Visually beautiful
- Large board and many components
Cons
- Sold out at convention
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I have not learned from previous years previous conventions had too many games
- this is a transportation and game which must have some sort of roots so that's always exciting for me
- this is the bit I like this is what makes me potentially see the game
- we people would run there line up in front of their booths and then slowly getting to the booths grab the game and then pay it's insane
- Spill feels like Disneyland for me
- wow look at this oh musics
- this is like beans everywhere
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video vX2_C5SQeoM
Watch It Played Rules Teach at 0:20 sentiment: positive
video_pk 65110 · mention_pk 158741
Click to watch at 0:20 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Thematic element is special.
- Interesting mechanics and strategy with spirit cards.
- Can be played quickly (10-15 minutes) or be a deep, thinking game for an afternoon.
- Available at retail stores.
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Treasure hunters
- Incan temple
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Action Points — During a turn, you have two actions that you can take, a maximum of two actions.
- Hand Management — You're dealt three [spirit cards] at the start of the game, and they allow you to perform a bonus action... Once you use these, they're discarded. So, having only three, it, you know, it plays a big part in the strategy as far as when you want to use them and how you want to use them.
- Set Collection — Trying to solve four puzzles before your opponents do.
- special actions — Spirit cards allow you to perform a bonus action such as a 'line push' or a 'rotation'. They also have a 'trap' function.
- tile flipping — Flipping one of the the tiles from its stone side to its gold side or vice versa.
- Tile switching — Switching the location of one of your tiles with an adjacent tile.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Hi everyone, welcome to Watch It Played.
- My name is Rodney Smith. We're here at the GTS distribution come and play day in Atlanta 2016.
- Kadinka is a game where you're playing treasure hunters and you're in an Incan temple and you all reach a door, two to four players, by the way.
- So, what we're trying to do with our tiles is we're trying to solve four puzzles before your opponents do.
- And whoever lost then insists they play again and try to beat them, right?
- Well, thank you very much, Anthony, for giving us a great overview how this game works.
- And to the rest of you, until the next episode, thanks for watching.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 6JRNNdMGxJg
Meeple University Discussion at 0:21
video_pk 64313 · mention_pk 157766
Click to watch at 0:21 · YouTube ↗
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- hi everyone I'm at Essence Spiel Germany
- Sabika from the creator of bitoku I believe
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 2IlQTHSKbqg
Board Gaming Ramblings Review at 1:29 sentiment: positive
video_pk 30150 · mention_pk 88602
Click to watch at 1:29 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- tight resource economy and pacing
- interactive rondelle with timing
- multiple scoring paths (small buildings, big buildings, poems, river trade)
- upgradeable storehouses add depth
- beautiful components and board
Cons
- potential for analysis paralysis and long games with 4 players
- rulebook can be hard to navigate and readability issues on some cards
- table size and layout can be challenging
- learning curve on some action spaces (e.g., storehouse)
Thematic elements
- building an Alhambra through movement around three rings
- Alhambra, medieval Granada
- architectural development and trade
Comparison games
- Bitoku
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Building construction and bonuses — build small and big buildings; matching colors yields bonuses; progress on a favorite track
- end-of-round and end-of-game scoring — scoring via resource thresholds, poem effects, building bonuses, and city interactions
- Poems/cards with ongoing and instant abilities — poem cards provide ongoing powers (blue) and instant bonuses (red) when triggered
- Resource Management — collect and convert resources into goods to pay for buildings and actions
- Resource management and conversion to goods — collect and convert resources into goods to pay for buildings and actions
- Rondel — three concentric action rings that determine available actions; timing and spacing matter; clockwise movement only
- Rondelle (three-ring rondel) — three concentric action rings that determine available actions; timing and spacing matter; clockwise movement only
- Trade routes between cities / river movement — move river boats to cities to trade goods; varying rewards and instant bonuses
- Worker Placement — move a worker onto a roundel space to take actions, with limited slots and costs
- Worker placement / action selection — move a worker onto a roundel space to take actions, with limited slots and costs
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's a table hog it's so big
- the rondelle itself it's very interesting because of the timing
- three round belts
- the interaction on the Rundell is maybe the most interesting part of the game
- it's a heavy to medium heavy Euro game and has a lot of moving pieces
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
Showing 1–10 of 10