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Game Info
Year
2024
Players
1-4
Age
14+
Playtime
120 min
Collection
Your Tier
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Description
Salton Sea is a unique place located in California, very close to the border with Mexico. The characteristics of this salty lake make it a unique location to generate geothermal energy, which takes advantage of the heat from the planet. In this area of intense geothermal activity, you will drill the ground and extract brine which, once processed, allows us to obtain the valuable lithium and sell it as part of a modern industry, far from fossil fuels, that will allow you to lead the energy transition towards a completely renewable future.
Designed by David Bernal and illustrated by Amelia Sales, Salton Sea can be enjoyed alone or in groups of up to four players in sessions lasting about 120 minutes. During the game, players must manage their geothermal lithium extraction companies to obtain the greatest number of points. The extraction of this material and its subsequent processing will be the driving force of your companies.
On your turn, place one of your four engineers on one of the available spaces to take an action. There are three different groups of actions: industrial actions (which allow you to obtain an exploration license, drill, extract, process or repair machinery), commercial actions (sell, acquire contract and execute contract), and management actions (research, buy shares, develop the business project or finance itself). It is up to you to manage the engineers at each point of the game to get the most out of your company.
However, there is no single path to success. The game will reward you for exhausted land, executed contracts, short-term objectives, company development, or research advances. Will you master the power of the Salton Sea to create the most efficient geothermal company?
—description from the publisher
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Playthrough
What We Played: February 2025
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All mentions
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 13
This page: 13
Sentiment:
pos 8 ·
mix 2 ·
neu 0 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–13 of 13
Video pCudt7zwBSQ
Tabletop Tolson Review at 0:04 sentiment: positive
video_pk 84939 · mention_pk 216726
Click to watch at 0:04 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Great bang for your buck / affordable
- Compact box for a heavy game
- Sleek and intuitive card system (money/action)
- Satisfying growth and development arc
- Clever and tight closed economy system
- Interconnected game systems
- Challenging but not overwhelming complexity
- High quality components and gameplay
- Delightful two-hour experience
Cons
- Thematic terminology doesn't 'sink in' for the reviewer
- Can be punishing if machinery/workers aren't repaired (losing points)
Thematic elements
- drilling for geothermal energy and lithium
Comparison games
- Sand
- Red Cathedral
- White Castle
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- action selection — Players choose actions by placing workers on spaces or playing cards, with a limited number of workers that can be increased.
- contract fulfillment — Players acquire contracts that require specific resources, offering significant bonuses upon completion.
- Engine Building — Players upgrade their systems, technology, and gain more workers to become more efficient and 'grow' their capabilities throughout the game.
- Multi-Use Cards — Cards serve as both money to purchase things and as actions to use in the game. When used as an action, they cannot be used as money until taken back the next round.
- Press Your Luck — There's an element of taxing machinery and workers, which leads to losing points if not repaired, implying a need to balance actions with maintenance.
- Resource Management — Players extract resources like brine, geothermal energy, and lithium, which are used for various game actions and fulfilling contracts.
- Set Collection — Some contracts or objectives require collecting a specific set of resources or items.
- Stock market/Shareholder track — Players can invest in different shares, moving markers on tracks that offer bonuses and influence the game's end condition.
- Worker Placement — Players use 'meeples' (workers) to place on action spaces on their player board or cards to perform actions.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- So, I say it's a really great bang for your buck when it comes to a heavyweight game.
- This is almost a four out of five on complexity rating.
- It's such a surprise that it comes in a box this small.
- The number one cards give you uh every player starts with one of every of the basic cards.
- I love games where you get more workers and you have to work towards getting more workers.
- So money is limited. And that's another feature I really like in the game.
- It has this closed economy for every single round. And that's another fantastic feature. I think it's just so clever.
- But the game itself is quality, is dynamite.
- This is my latest hot take, especially for the size of the box, the complexity, and the cost, which totally affects your wallet.
- It is a two-hour game, but a delightful, delicious, sink your teeth into 2hour game.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Nik6ppRUmY4
BoardGameCo Discussion at 3:41 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 80740 · mention_pk 197662
Click to watch at 3:41 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- Fascinating game.
- Really well done.
- Mechanics work incredibly well.
- Interesting puzzle.
- Tight experience.
- Unique cash/ability system.
- Well done game overall.
- Unique aspects.
Cons
- Really long for what it's doing.
- Complexity of the teach.
- Length of the game.
- Plays best at two players.
- Longer experience that's hard to table.
- Barriers to entry.
Thematic elements
- Mines
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Engine Building — Gathering new cards buying new cards can really improve your engine but then again you are trying to use that money towards that as opposed to the seven other things you could be doing.
- Resource Management — The main thing that makes the game compelling is all your cash in the game are also ability cards so whenever you have ability cards or cash they're kind of interchangeable in the way that you you spend these things but also when you spend it you're going to get some of the stuff back as well so there's an interesting puzzle of trying to figure out the tempo of when you need an ability when you need to spend money how you're managing that pace and flow of the game.
- Track Advancement — You're going to be trying to rise up on these three tracks you're be trying to go further and further down into these mines over here be gathering mine cards and then delving into them.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- First Impressions are for to qualify our opinions.
- if a game requires multiple plays to appreciate it in the first place that's usually not a game for me
- I think there are better racing games out there and they will take less time effort and energy to play
- I enjoyed it and I'm not interested enough to pull it out again
- it's a little a little too chaotic in life for my game group and a little too much for my kids
- five games that I've played once and probably will not be playing again unless I happen to for some reason
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video jkV10c-71Ys
Meeple University Live Playthrough
video_pk 69906 · mention_pk 166795
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
none
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- playboard is clean so much
- I like this game
- I do like the color palette in this game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video e7bdAPGa7xE
Meeple University Review
video_pk 69908 · mention_pk 166797
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
none
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the big hook of this game is the hand management and action Choice mechanism
- it's a personal hand management puzzle
- the artwork is functional; not outstanding
- I would definitely play it again
- you could calculate it by brute force
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video jkV10c-71Ys
Meeple University Live Playthrough at 0:46 sentiment: positive
video_pk 69906 · mention_pk 230454
Click to watch at 0:46 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Clean, readable playboard and appealing color palette
- Deep, personal puzzle with strong interaction between actions and cards
- End-game scoring with multiple objective tracks adds strategic depth
Cons
- AP-prone at times, which can slow decision cycles
- End-game scoring and tracking can be complex and require careful attention
Thematic elements
- renewable energy and mining of lithium; corporate growth
- Sultan Sea region, southern California; lithium brine mining and geothermal energy
Comparison games
- Veil of Eternity
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Card-driven action economy — Money cards are action cards that can be played to strengthen or discount actions; spent cards become the currency for performing actions.
- Contracts — Claim cards influence end-game conditions and provide various bonuses; the game ends when two companies close or the claim deck is depleted.
- Contracts / claim cards — Claim cards influence end-game conditions and provide various bonuses; the game ends when two companies close or the claim deck is depleted.
- End-game scoring with multiple tracks — Points come from shares, refined products, research cards, and end-game objectives.
- Multi-Use Cards — Money cards are action cards that can be played to strengthen or discount actions; spent cards become the currency for performing actions.
- Resource extraction & refinement — Brine is extracted and refined into energy or lithium; storage and processing limits influence decisions.
- Share market / stock mechanic — Players buy and sell shares in color-coded companies; selling increases company value and grants victory points.
- Stock Holding — Players buy and sell shares in color-coded companies; selling increases company value and grants victory points.
- Worker Placement — Players start with four workers and take turns placing them to perform actions (drill, research, extract, etc.).
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- playboard is clean so much
- I like this game
- I do like the color palette in this game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video g014-ETLwDc
kovray Rules Teach at 0:00
video_pk 68217 · mention_pk 164575
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
none
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Sultan C is played over a course of several rounds during which you'll take turns managing engineers and finances at your geothermal lithium extraction Corporation to score the most victory points
- These cards are not only the currency to be used but they're also prompt actions you can take
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video o8dWJeEaZ6g
The Board Game Garden Discussion at 8:31 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 40442 · mention_pk 122466
Click to watch at 8:31 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- Compact, tight decisions
- Interesting money/card mechanic interaction
Cons
- Theme not engaging to the speaker
- Lacked polish for a heavier feel
Thematic elements
- resource transformation and money-centric management
- Mining and resource conversion in a compact setting
- unfolds through card/resource interaction rather than story
Comparison games
- SiTi
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Card-driven economy — Cards serve as both currency and actions; timing and card use matter.
- Multi-Use Cards — Cards serve as both currency and actions; timing and card use matter.
- Resource conversion — Convert gathered resources into other resources over the course of play.
- Resource Management — Convert gathered resources into other resources over the course of play.
- Worker Placement — Place workers to harvest resources and perform actions.
- Worker placement (resource-focused) — Place workers to harvest resources and perform actions.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Galileo galile oh my goodness such a fantastic game it is
- I could probably see myself getting into the collection
- I am a huge fan of garel games
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video kbpx065wwX4
Board Of It Review at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 37312 · mention_pk 112045
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Fast-paced, tight turns that keep players engaged in a heavy euro.
- Brutal, weighty economy with meaningful decisions.
- Action cards doubling as liquidity add depth and tension.
- Niche-building via research cards and action variations.
- Small box with strong production value and portability for a heavy game.
Cons
- Stocks mechanic can feel loose and highly dependent on player count.
- Objective cards are often difficult to complete and not very rewarding.
- Some actions could have been sharper or simpler (contracts as separate actions).
- The endgame scoring and stock bonuses can be underwhelming or risky.
Thematic elements
- Resource extraction, energy economy, risk-reward decision making
- A modern industrial setting focused on brine extraction, geothermal energy, and lithium production.
- Brutal, high-stakes Euro with tight economic tension
Comparison games
- Pipeline
- Barrage
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Action card economy — Cards also serve as liquidity; higher-value cards enable stronger actions.
- Asset maintenance / up-front costs — Fees like drilling licenses and warehouse upgrades to improve extraction.
- contract fulfillment — Complete contracts for money and victory points.
- Contracts — Complete contracts for money and victory points.
- End Game Bonuses — Game ends when two companies are heavily sold or when a deck runs out.
- endgame triggers — Game ends when two companies are heavily sold or when a deck runs out.
- Hand Management — Use action cards as both actions and cash, managing a hand to optimize plays.
- Multi-Use Cards — Cards also serve as liquidity; higher-value cards enable stronger actions.
- Research cards — One-use or permanent upgrades that modify actions and provide advantages.
- Resource conversion — Convert brine into geothermal energy or lithium.
- Resource Management — Convert brine into geothermal energy or lithium.
- Stock market / endgame scoring — Sell resources to companies to raise stock prices and end-game scoring potential.
- Worker Placement — Place workers on action spaces (on personal board or cards) to perform actions.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Salt on Sea is a worker placement hand management game for one to four players.
- these action cards also double as your liquid cash.
- crucial to getting anywhere in the brutal economy of Sultan Sea by helping you conserve resources or be more efficient.
- Salt on Sea is a wonderful example of the heavy Euro genre.
- it's a shorefire addition to our collection.
- it's relatively easy to get to grips with; it's snappy.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 6ujkiN6Y_wk
Board Of It Top 10 List at 28:21 sentiment: positive
video_pk 36579 · mention_pk 211363
Click to watch at 28:21 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- clever balance between card economy and action cadence
- tiny footprint with big strategy
Cons
- some players may prefer heavier or more unique action systems
Thematic elements
- industrial energy economy
- energy production euro with classic resource tension
- classic Euro engine-building
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- economic engine / card-driven actions — balanced decision to drop cards for actions that generate future points
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I think we both found this year quite difficult.
- rough list, but yeah.
- Skull King is iconic.
- Sweet Lands is the best game that we've played this year.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video DIcnHkry060
Board Of It Playthrough at 1:07 sentiment: positive
video_pk 34976 · mention_pk 104253
Click to watch at 1:07 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- compact size with deep gameplay
- low barrier to entry for a heavy game
- well-produced and slick presentation
Cons
- setup can be fiddly due to many card types
Thematic elements
- energy production logistics
- energy production, small-box Euro
- work-placement puzzle with resource management
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- action cards as money — money is represented by action cards; paying for actions consumes these cards
- interlinked actions — decisions unlock or limit future actions; economy is interdependent
- Simultaneous Actions — decisions unlock or limit future actions; economy is interdependent
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the videos aren't being pushed anyone compared to what they were in January and before that
- chef's kiss
- heavy Gateway game
- it's trick taking with a twist
- it's not snappy enough to sustain interest
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video z2FYxaKC5VU
Board of It Top List at 23:16 sentiment: positive
video_pk 32533 · mention_pk 96271
Click to watch at 23:16 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- deep euro with a compact box
- tight decision space and meaningful trade-offs
- strong two-player introspection
Cons
- longer playtime and potential fatigue with more players
- stock market element can be dense if not focused
Thematic elements
- industrial resource management and stock market-style bonuses
- Energy production theme, lithium batteries and geothermal energy
- dense, highly strategic euro
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- card-based payments with no change — Money cards are also action cards; paying consumes cards and change is not returned.
- multi-action resource engine — Two corporations execute many actions to generate energy and points.
- Multi-Use Cards — Money cards are also action cards; paying consumes cards and change is not returned.
- stock track and market decisions — Players move up tracks and buy/sell to gain bonuses and points.
- Track Advancement — Players move up tracks and buy/sell to gain bonuses and points.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's a nice little puzzle
- two players, it's head-to-head and dualistic
- escape room in a box, except it's puzzles
- it's a euro and in that kind of element there's not so much interaction
- excellent at two players
- the stock market element is tricky if others take the cards you want
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video mlvyCcbCCJw
Board Stupid Discussion at 0:25 sentiment: positive
video_pk 29508 · mention_pk 86672
Click to watch at 0:25 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Ingenious dual-use mechanics where cards are simultaneously currency and action options.
- Balanced yet punishing design that rewards deep strategic planning.
- Strong thematic integration with lithium extraction and market trading.
- Appealing components and a coherent, high-stakes feel.
Cons
- Very heavy and potentially daunting for newcomers.
- Rules complexity may be prohibitive without a thorough tutorial or playthrough.
- The punishing nature can create long turns or analysis paralysis for some players.
Thematic elements
- Extraction, production, market manipulation; balancing immediate needs with long-term strategy.
- Industrial era-inspired resource extraction and commodity trading with an emphasis on lithium brine production and market dynamics.
- Hard euros with a punitive, consequence-driven engine that emphasizes tough choices and economic pressure.
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- dual-use cards — Cards function both as currency for paying actions and, on their reverse or alternative phase, as higher-impact actions; players must balance spending money versus gaining stronger actions.
- Economic engine and market dynamics — Players manage extraction, production, and market transactions, including buying stocks from different companies and moving goods to market.
- Market Pricing/Manipulation — Players manage extraction, production, and market transactions, including buying stocks from different companies and moving goods to market.
- Multi-Use Cards — Cards function both as currency for paying actions and, on their reverse or alternative phase, as higher-impact actions; players must balance spending money versus gaining stronger actions.
- Round cycle with resets — Gameplay cycles through multiple rounds, with a feeling of ascent followed by a reset or repopulation of strategic options, producing a roller-coaster rhythm.
- Rule-driven resource flow — Extraction of brine, production of lithium, and movement of resources follow a structured sequence that creates tension and trade-offs.
- Score-and-Reset — Gameplay cycles through multiple rounds, with a feeling of ascent followed by a reset or repopulation of strategic options, producing a roller-coaster rhythm.
- Stock market/market interactions — Investment and stock choices influence long-term scoring and immediate action economy, reinforcing the game’s economic focus.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's a hard game complicated game that forces you to do things that you don't want to do like spend more
- it's a punitive game
- the coolest thing of this game is the the double use of the cards those cards are money that you have to pay for practically everything that's like life but in the other side you have actions that are stronger than the action that you have in your board
- it's a cool game very well balanced
- the components in this game are really beautiful fabulous
- you upgrade your sand worm you will use the resources because get tired
- candies are sugar free so you don't have an extra action
- these ones go to 11... they go to 11 it's like 10 but it's one louder if you know that reference you're old like me
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video cDmkUMEAU8k
Our Family Plays Games Discussion at 33:33 sentiment: positive
video_pk 12573 · mention_pk 120800
Click to watch at 33:33 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- artwork is intriguing
- clear economic puzzle
Cons
- complex for newcomers
Thematic elements
- Resource and route optimization with a sea-faring motif
- Economic and maritime-themed engine-building
- economic puzzle with industrial mood
Comparison games
- K2
- Other economic-engine games
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- economic engine — Player management of resources and routes for economic gain.
- Resource Management — Player management of resources and routes for economic gain.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the minis are outstanding
- it's a fun fighting game
- it's kind of like a tableau building game and set collection game
- the box feels quality
- Ticket to Ride now they've got trains and then they have other Ticket to Ride with boats and all that stuff
- Lost Cities will make you mad all day long
- Salt and Sea is interesting
- the expedition system
- you kind of do cards and things
- circle the wagons... two-player game
- two-player game good
- Push... push your luck
- we're going to roll straight into the heart of this episode
- Terraforming Mars is the best game
- the art and packaging of Let's go to Japan is beautiful
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
Showing 1–13 of 13