Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsA portable go to game
Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2024
I am writing this because I just don't see enough reviews for this masterpiece.
We have been playing the original Splendor for years, and more often than not, as a two-player game, which it affords. It has always been one of what I call "Clean rule" games. That is to say-it is logical, and the rules make sense. No ambiguities, which we like.
I was so excited to see this "duel" variant come out. First, because we love the original. Secondly, it is a small, portable option, and we love throwing a few games into the car when we hit a café on the weekend-Res Arcana and Wingspan are two favs, and the boxes are quite big.
It's great.
This game plays in the Splendor world, but adds some new victory conditions, the three of which are:
20 total points
10 points in the same color gem stack
Ten Crowns
Those of you who have played the original will note the addition of crowns.
There are also scrolls that allow you to take a gem before your turn, as well as card that have additional powers of allowing you to steal a gem from your opponent (other than gold), take another turn, or take a scroll.
There is a new mechanism for taking gems as well as a new gem-the pearl. Another reviewer notes that this pearl gem (of which there are only two) are a bit OP and very necessary making them a bit much, but to that reviewer I will note-gold can be pearls, so ostensibly, there are five possible pearls.
We love it.
It's a great, two-player game, and a much beloved addition to our two-player fun.
Recommended.