Collect and trade goods! Plan ahead! Earn rubies and win the race to fortune! Become the best merchant in Istanbul! This faithful adaptation of one of the best board games of all time will turn you into a merchant on a journey from rags to riches. 🕌📦👳
The game closely follows the original board game's mechanics and rules, providing players with an authentic experience in a convenient digital format.
At the core of the gameplay is a deep, strategic worker placement and resource management system. As merchants, players navigate the bustling bazaar of Istanbul to collect and trade goods, acquire resources, and earn victory-granting rubies. The central challenge lies in carefully planning and maneuvering the merchant and their assistants to maximize actions and outpace opponents.
One standout mechanic requires players to leave an assistant behind when taking an action. This forces them to plan ahead, as retrieving an assistant later means returning to the previous location, potentially disrupting their strategy. Balancing the need to cover multiple locations while maintaining a presence in key areas is a constant tactical consideration.
The game features randomly generated board layouts, providing a high degree of replayability and preventing players from relying on a single optimal strategy. Players can also engage in online multiplayer matches, both synchronous and asynchronous, further enhancing the game's longevity and appeal.
Reviewers consistently praise the game's faithful adaptation, highlighting its accessibility, strategic depth, and the seamless transition to the digital format. They appreciate the quick playthroughs, challenging AI opponents, and the overall enjoyment of the core gameplay loop.