Santorini is one of my favorite abstract games. At its core, it is a simple strategy game that is endlessly replayable (such as tic-tac-toe, connect four, checkers). But by adding the ‘gods’ cards, each player can be given their own unique ability that changes the strategy just enough to refresh the game and make you view it in a whole new light.

At first glance, Santorini looks like it might be a kid’s game, and I think it would make a great kid’s game- the same way chess or checkers does. Don’t let the artwork distract you, however, from uncovering the deep strategy that lurks in Santorini.

There really are just two rules to the game: Move, then build. You can move one space away, and you can build one space away (with the worker you just moved). Just two things to do on your turn? Easy. But by turn 3, you're considering the 8 spaces your first worker can move compared to the 7 spaces your other worker can move, and then considering the 8 build options for each of those move possibilities, and now we're at….. (carry the two…) over 100 options to consider! But now let’s plan ahead at what they might do and how we’d respond…. (analysis paralysis).

There aren’t too many more satisfying feelings than seeing your well-planned strategy pan out as you metaphorically and literally reach the top of your game. There is such pride and satisfaction at knowing you had so many possible choices, and you chose the right one.

So make the right choice here, and give Santorini a play. You won’t regret it.

You may also like: Hive, Azul, Santorini New York

Information for this review is based on my plays with 2, 3, and 4 players.