Mundus Novus

Charter caravels, trade with rivals and build the best sets of New World goods in a 16th-century card game.

Designers: Bruno Cathala, Serge Laget
Published by: asmodee

Spain, 16th century: you own ships, the New World has just been discovered and everybody wants a piece of the goods. Mundus Novus is a card game of trading and set building. Ten kinds of resources, including legendary Inca relics, fill your hand, and development cards such as caravels give you permanent perks, for example extra resource cards each round. Every round opens with a random event that hits the whole table, then you receive cards from a common pool and try to turn mixed goods into the best possible sets. It is a game of reading what others need, trading smartly and not getting stuck with a hand of leftovers. A lean hour with clever little decisions.

Ten resource types, Inca relics includedRandom events hit everyone each roundCaravels give permanent bonuses

Who it's for

You enjoy card-based trading and set collection with a historical flavor, and a table that likes to haggle.

Not for you if…

You dislike luck in the draw or want a heavy strategy game. The event and supply cards keep things unpredictable.

Vibe's take

Chatty and calculating at once. You watch what rivals hoard, offer deals that look generous and then quietly pocket the better set.