Orichalcum

A 4X-flavored race on your own mythic island: explore, recruit, forge orichalcum and clear the monsters.

Designers: Bruno Cathala, Johannes Goupy
Published by: Catch Up Games
Editions by: Pandasaurus Games, Pegasus Spiele, Maldito Games, TLAMA games, Evrikus, Games7Days, Czacha Games, HOT Games

Orichalcum is a fast, tense strategy game that feels like a pocket-sized 4X. Each of you has your own island board to explore and develop. On your turn you pick one exploration tile and one action to go with it: recruit hoplites, produce orichalcum (that legendary metal from Greek mythology), construct buildings with strong bonuses, or chase away the monsters infesting your island and blocking new construction. Raise temples, forge orichalcum tokens, or earn the favor of titans by shaping their favorite landscapes. The first player to reach five victory points while the island is cleared of monsters wins, so the race can end suddenly. Two to four players, about an hour, from age 10. Released in 2022.

Pair an exploration tile with an actionForge orichalcum and raise templesFirst to five points with a monster-free island

Who it's for

You want the explore-and-build satisfaction of a 4X in an hour, with a Greek myth setting.

Not for you if…

You want slow, sprawling empires or heavy diplomacy. The race ends abruptly and everyone plays on their own island.

Vibe's take

Quick and tense, like a strategy game with the fat trimmed off. You always have something clever to do, and you keep glancing at the others to see who is about to finish.