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I questioned the need for this game. Splendor already works incredibly well in a 2-player format, why bother with this game? I love being proven wrong for something like this. The depth added to the game is brilliant.
The basics.
The original game of Splendor is all about gathering those precious, gems, to purchase jewels and ultimately collect those all-important prestige points to secure the victory. That largely remains unchanged, but, they’ve added multiple routes to victory and a different method of collecting those precious gems. However, the essence of Splendor very much remains in tact and so this game has been very cleverly created. Turn play is also very familiar with the same 3 actions to choose from, either collecting the precious gems, collecting a gold token and reserving a jewel card or purchasing a jewel card with the gems collected. Also, with the jewels already purchased, this providing a discount on future jewel purchases. Those fundamental mechanics of Splendor still ever present.
What’s New?
The pool of jewels for purchase. Classically we have 4 jewels available in the 3 tier pools. These are what you could choose to purchase. A little twist in this set with a pyramid being created. 5 jewels available in tier 1, 4 jewels available in tier 2 and 3 jewels available in tier 3. This makes a lot of sense to me as you should have more availability at the lower point. A resource board. You lay out gems (randomly) on this resource board in the set pattern. You draw from this board and there are specific ways to do this. As you draw over consecutive turns the options available diminishes and at some point, it will need refilling for the game to progress. It’s a clever variation instead of just taking from a pool that invariably depletes in play. Some optional additional actions are available in the form of privilege actions. If you are in possession of a privilege scroll/scrolls then you can do one of or both privilege actions if you want to. These actions include taking a gem from the resource board and replenishing the game board. Privilege Scrolls. I noted what they do above. You get hold of these by either taking 3 of the same gems from the pool, or 2 pearl gems from the resource pool, if you choose to draw resources as an action. Special rules with jewels purchased. These abilities are something very new and if your jewel card has one then you resolve it immediately. These include taking another turn straight away, a jewel card that counts as any of the 5 gem colours that you want/require, take a gem matching the colour on the jewel card from the board, take a privilege scroll, or finally taking a gem or pearl off of your opponent. They are all assets to the player who earns it. I actually love this additional little extra, it’s a touch devious and really makes you think even more about the jewels you want to purchase.
Route to victory
This is probably my favourite addition to the game. Whereas before it was a straight 15 prestige points to take victory, one route in essence. You now have 3 different directions to take a victory here. You either need the classic prestige points to which it is now 20. You could also take the route of gathering crowns. These crowns are printed on the jewel cards in a similar way to the prestige points. 10 crowns secure a victory for you. Also, the crowns do lead to bonus prestige points, 3 crowns will secure one royal card and 6 crowns secures you a second royal card. So, if prestige points is your route to victory this cannot be ignored 10 prestige points all printed on the same type of jewel cards. So, if you have a total of 10 or more points on the blue jewels, for example, you will also win the game in this 3rd way. This I really like! It gives an added dimension.
Limitations
It feels like there shouldn’t be any limitations but this is only for 2 people to play and that is arguably a real shame. It would also render, I expect, Splendor a little redundant if it was available to more players because of this depth added. Maybe the creators could cleverly create an expansion that brings in these features to the base game? I wouldn’t put it past them. If your game nights have more than 2 people, this game won’t work at all (unless you get multiple sets in).
Final thoughts
As I noted at the start, there is so much more happening in the game than what is going on in the original. The depth is there and if like me you regularly find most of your game nights are just 2 people then this is a winner. I personally love the variation brought to the table top. What is a very familiar game to me in Splendor, has been adapted and I feel improved, whilst not losing that familiarity and that is incredibly pleasing.
