Constantinopolis

Constantinopolis is a beautiful game that has me completely hooked. The board is gorgeous, and the components are top-notch. I really love the Latin tile design - it adds to the thematic feel of the game and makes it super accessible for players who don't speak the language.

The game itself is a resource management and trade game. You play as a merchant in Constantinople, and your goal is to become the most successful entrepreneur in the city. You do this by completing contracts, establishing trade, and expanding your trade district.

One thing I really enjoy about this game is the auction mechanic. It's a great way to add some player interaction to the game and provides a way to gain an advantage over your opponents. Another cool element is the ability to buy goods that you can't produce, which creates some really interesting economic decisions.

There are definitely some similarities to other games like Puerto Rico, but Constantinopolis has enough unique features to make it stand out on its own. The shipping mechanic is particularly well-conceived, and the scoring track is a nice touch that makes the game feel more competitive.

I was a little hesitant at first because some of the reviews mentioned that the game is a bit on the heavy side, but I found it to be surprisingly easy to learn. The rules are clearly written and the game comes with lots of examples to help you understand how to play.

Overall, I highly recommend Constantinopolis. It's a fantastic game that's full of strategic depth, economic decisions, and beautiful components. If you're looking for a game that's a bit more complex than Puerto Rico but still accessible for new players, this is the one for you.