The Grand Carnival

Build a fairground tile by tile, but every action costs a number you cover on your board, so each choice limits the next.

Designer: Rob Cramer
Published by: Uproarious Games
Editions by: Maldito Games, Skellig Games

Step right up, the carnival is coming to town. In The Grand Carnival you compete to build the most impressive carnival the town has ever seen: you plan the layout, build attractions, hire staff and manage the crowds. Each turn you cover a number on your player board and then pick an action. The number you cover decides how strong the action is, and it stays unavailable until the next round, so choosing which number to spend is the whole puzzle. You can place Foundation tiles, which are 2x2 grids with construction sites and walkways; the higher the number you cover, the more tile options you get. Attractions only go on construction sites. A clever spatial puzzle for one to four players, about an hour.

Cover numbers to pick stronger actionsFoundation tiles with sites and walkwaysBuild attractions and hire staff

Who it's for

You like tile-placing puzzles with a clever action-selection twist, and a carnival theme that lets you design your own layout.

Not for you if…

You want much interaction with other players. Most of the game is your own fairground puzzle.

Vibe's take

Calm and puzzly with a satisfying squeeze. You aren't just placing tiles, you're deciding which of your numbers to burn this round, and that decision keeps shaping the next.