In the realm of board games, there exists a select group of titles that have transcended mere entertainment to become cultural touchstones, introducing countless individuals to the captivating world of tabletop gaming. Among these gems, Splendor stands out as a shining example, charming players with its intuitive gameplay, cool aesthetic, and strategic depth.
In 2024, Splendor will celebrate its 10th anniversary. These have been 10 productive years for both the game and its original designer, Marc André. With three iterations of the game published, including one expansion, and well over a million copies sold to date, Splendor's future looks promising.
Having played, and presently own, all the games in the Splendor line of games, I can attest to their enduring appeal. Splendor, the original 2014 offering, is a clear example of simple yet engaging game mechanics. The game revolves around acquiring gem tokens, representing precious stones, to purchase development cards, each offering unique benefits. In most cases, development cards offer discounts towards the next card purchase, some of them also offering prestige points. These points are at the very heart of the game since players need to reach 15 prestige points to win the game. For this reason, players strive to collect specific sets of cards, granting them prestige points and ultimately leading to victory.
My wife, while not an avid board gamer, found herself attracted to Splendor's elegant simplicity and the thrill of outsmarting her opponents in the pursuit of the elusive 15 prestige points. The game's accessibility, combined with its strategic depth, has undoubtedly contributed to its widespread popularity, earning it a place among the most beloved gateway Eurogames.
The expansion, Cities of Splendor, introduced new gameplay elements, expanding the game's scope and strategic options. Players could now establish trade routes between cities, earning additional prestige points and unlocking new development cards. My wife, having mastered the base game, embraced the expansion's added complexity, immersing herself in the world of expanding trade networks and gemstone-fuelled races to the finish.
Our son Neil, an enthusiastic gamer at the tender age of eight, simply loves Marvel Splendor. The game's superhero theme immediately resonated with him, and he quickly grasped the core mechanics, albeit with a slight bias towards collecting his favourite heroes rather than focusing on the strategic path to victory. My guess is that he will be giving me a substantial challenge once he realises that there are other, better ways to win.
The latest addition to the Splendor family, Splendor Duel, takes the game to a more intimate two-player experience. The core mechanics remain almost intact, but the game introduces new elements, such as duelling for gem tokens and acquiring noble favour tokens to gain an edge. The game was co-designed with Bruno Cathala, an established 2-player game designer with some noteworthy games under his belt.
Splendor Duel introduces some interesting twists to the turns taken as well as the introduction of Favours and Pearls. The game comes with three “favour” scrolls that function as a sort of in-game advantage that can be traded for specific actions. Pearls on the other hand are extremely rare (only two of them) and can affect the outcome of a match.
At the start of a game, the gem tokens are also randomly arranged on a square board and laid out in a spiral fashion. As can be imagined, during the game tokens will leave the board as they are taken up by either player. However, there is a way for these tokens to return to the board. When players trade in tokens for development cards, they deposit the used chips into a cloth bag. When the board is all but cleared of tokens or perhaps a player wants specific tokens back in hand, he or she can return the tokens to refill the board, but his opponent gets a favour in the process. The player filling the board however gets a chance to be first to pick from the refilled board.
Favours are also used during the game as a means of equalising seemingly overpowered actions. For instance, if a player picks up both pearls in one action from the board, his opponent gets a favour. If he gathers three gems in one colour from the board, his opponent also gets a favour. Furthermore, a player may optionally use a favour at the beginning of a turn to gather one gem from the board, returning the used favour to the common pool.
If at any time one player needs to take a favour and none are available in the common pool, then he may take a favour token from the opponent. At no point can a player exceed the three-favour limit.
As in the original Splendor, a player may only have up to 10 tokens in his hands including gold tokens (there are three in this game). As in the original, gold tokens may be taken from the board only as part of a “reserve card” action. Thereafter the player can use that gold coin as a wild token, that is, as any coloured gem.
A player may also not reserve more than three development cards, this is obviously linked to the number of gold tokens available. Also, if there are no gold tokens available on the board, a player cannot reserve any card.
In addition to the core mechanisms from Splendor, Splendor Duel introduces several new gameplay elements through the development cards. These cards feature various icons that represent unique actions and abilities.
Crown icons allow players to acquire prestige points from nobles (you need 3 crowns for the first noble and 6 for the second) or contribute to one of the three victory conditions, which require accumulating a specified number of crowns. A short side note on the nobles, players may only acquire up to 2 nobles, that is you don’t get a third noble if you acquire 9 crowns.
Some development cards allow players to pick an additional token from the board upon its acquisition, while others function as wild gems, capable of representing any gem colour during gameplay.
Certain development cards permit players to take a token of their choice from their opponent's stock, while others provide an extra turn immediately after being acquired.
Regarding wild gems, there is an important caveat linked to one of the victory conditions: achieving ten gems of the same colour across development cards. To ensure fair competition, all players must arrange their acquired development cards in orderly colour-coded columns. This means that while wild gems can represent any colour initially, they become permanently fixed to the chosen column once placed.
Splendor Duel presents 3 distinct victory conditions: accumulating 10 crown tokens, or attaining 10 gems of the same colour, or reaching 20 prestige points. Among these, reaching 20 prestige points is challenging but not impossible. Players pursuing this strategy should focus on acquiring prestige points primarily through nobles and high-value cards. Achieving 10 gems of the same colour could be a more frequent route to victory. Crown tokens can be more elusive, but even acquiring 6 crowns can be sufficient if the game situation dictates a shift towards the 20-prestige point victory condition.
Through careful observation of some Splendor Duel playthroughs on the internet, I've identified specific pitfalls to avoid on the path to victory. While replenishing the gem supply may seem like a beneficial strategy, doing so excessively can hinder your progress and grant your opponent an advantage. Similarly, indiscriminately reserving cards can impede your advancement and cost you a minimum of three turns (due to the three-card reserve limit).
Moreover, the additional actions featured on development cards hold significant value beyond the gem acquisition they provide. An extra turn at a crucial moment can propel you forward in pursuit of one of the victory conditions. Conversely, a misstep or failure to anticipate your opponent's countermove could cost you the game.
Splendor Duel demands careful consideration of each decision, transforming every turn into a strategic puzzle that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Splendor's enduring popularity stems from its ability to cater to a wide range of players, from casual gamers seeking a light and engaging experience to seasoned strategists craving a more intellectually stimulating challenge. The game's elegant design, charming theme, and satisfying gameplay have cemented its place as a modern classic, ensuring its continued appeal for years to come.
As an avid board game hobbyist, I cannot but recommend Splendor to anyone seeking a rewarding gaming experience. Its blend of accessibility, strategic depth, and charming aesthetics has earned it a well-deserved spot among the most beloved board games of our time. Whether you're a seasoned gamer or a curious newcomer, Splendor promises an enriching journey into the world of gemstone-fuelled prosperity and strategic brilliance.
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