Santorini (game)
{{Short description|Abstract strategy board game}}
{{italic title}}
{{Infobox game
|title = Santorini
|image = Santorini game render.jpg
|caption = Santorini game
|designer = Gordon Hamilton
|publisher = Roxley Games|blank_label = Ages
|blank_data = 8+
|setup_time = 1 minute
|players = 2–4
|playing_time = 15-20 minutes
|complexity =
|strategy =
|random_chance = None
|skills =
|footnotes =
}}
Santorini is an abstract strategy board game for 2-4 players designed by Gordon Hamilton in 1985. He published the all-white wooden version in 2004. It was republished via Kickstarter in 2016 by Roxley Games. Inspired by the architecture of cliffside villages on Santorini Island in Greece,{{cite web | url=http://www.purplepawn.com/2017/03/spin-master-taking-on-santorini-and-5-minute-dungeon-for-push-in-to-hobby-market/| title = Spin Master Taking On Santorini and 5-Minute Dungeon for Push in to Hobby Market| work = Purple Pawn | date = March 2, 2017 | accessdate = September 30, 2017 | first = David | last = Miller }} and primarily designed for two players, the game is played on a grid where each turn players build a town by placing building pieces up to three levels high.{{cite web | url=https://www.newsforshoppers.com/53806-2/36753806/| title = 'Santorini' Game Beautifully Combines Strategy, World Building And Super Powers| work = Forbes | date = September 18, 2017 | accessdate = September 30, 2017 | first = Andy | last = Robertson }} To win the game, players must move one of their two characters to the third level of the town.{{cite web | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/andyrobertson/2017/09/18/santorini-game-beautifully-combines-strategy-world-building-and-super-powers/#3d5b81b73e5e| title = Santorini: A Perfect Game For Families| work = News for Shoppers | date = December 29, 2016 | accessdate = September 30, 2017 | first = Teresa | last = Jackson }}
Gameplay
Each turn of play involves moving one of your two pieces around a 5-by-5 grid and then placing a tile adjacent to the moved piece, building up that spot of the board.{{cite web | url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/06/santorini-is-a-perfect-game-for-two.html| title = Santorini Is a Perfect Game For Two| work = Paste | date = June 26, 2017 | accessdate = September 30, 2017 | first = Keith | last = Law }} On subsequent turns, pieces may be moved onto one of these built-up tiles, but only one level up at a time. Pieces may also be moved down any number of levels. Players may also place a special dome tile on top of a three-level building, which prevents a player from moving onto that spot for the remainder of the game.
The primary winning condition is to get one of your pieces onto the third level, though players may also win if their opponent is unable to make a move.{{cite web|url=http://www.boardspace.net/santorini/english/santorini-rules.html |title=Rules for Santorini |accessdate=2010-12-08 |publisher=BoardSpace.net }}
The Roxley Games version of Santorini introduced a god powers variant, which gives each player a unique way to break the rules.{{cite web | url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/08/14/best-board-games-of-2017| title = BEST BOARD GAMES OF 2017| work = IGN | date = August 14, 2017 | accessdate = September 30, 2017 | first = Matt | last = Thrower }}
Release and Reception
After being directly released and sold by Hamilton in 2004, Roxley Games ran a Kickstarter campaign during March-April 2016, drawing over 7,100 backers and raising over C$700,000,{{cite web | url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/roxley/santorini-learn-it-in-30-seconds-play-it-for-life?ref=discovery| title = ~ SANTORINI ~ Learn it in 30 seconds, play it for life! | work = Kickstarter| accessdate = September 30, 2017}} the most successful Kickstarter campaign ever based in Alberta.{{cite web | url=http://www.metronews.ca/news/calgary/2017/01/24/calgarian-independent-board-game-record-breaker.html| title = Calgarian's independent board game is already a record breaker| work = Metro News | date = January 27, 2017 | accessdate = September 30, 2017 | first = Aaron | last = Chatha }} While the original release used plain white blocks as components, the Roxley version featured an enhanced cartoon-like look to the game, which Hamilton credits for success of the Kickstarter campaign.{{cite web | url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-board-game-santorini-launches-1.3953595| title = Santorini comes to Calgary: board game launches after 31 years| work = CBC News | date = January 26, 2017 | accessdate = September 30, 2017 | first = Stephanie | last = Wiebe }} The game was released in retail outlets in January 2017.
A review on The Wirecutter stated that the game is "fun and easy to learn", but that "players can get knocked out early on" for games with more than two players.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/board-games-for-adults/|title=The best beginner board games for adults|last1=Perling|first1=Anna|last2=Austin|first2=James|work=The Wirecutter|publisher=The New York Times|date=9 December 2019|access-date=12 November 2021}}