When gamers think of the top designers, the name Stefan Feld usually comes up. So when he comes out with a new game, there’s always the thought, how does it compare to Trajan or one of his other amazing games much like a musician and their new record. This is the third edition of Carpe Diem, which was originally released in 2018. There are some changes in the mechanics but overall it remains the same; be the player to have the most beautiful and efficient design of an ancient Roman district by earning the most points.
Carpe Diem, at its core, is a tile-laying game where combinations of tiles earn points and players are laying tiles on their own individual board to achieve it. The next layer is the theme; set in Rome, players are patricians, vying for the perfect combination of landscapes, fountains, and buildings; placing them strategically to earn those points. The top layer is the beautiful aesthetic look of your design and the sense of accomplishment you feel; the game allows you to explore your creative and artistic side as you play and earn those points by acquiring and laying out your tiles. It is an almost zen-like experience with the tension of competing to complete your own personal masterpiece. And the beautiful thing is that you can do it again, with new choices and even possible better options the next time. It is a game of endless possibilities which can be a fantastic experience for such a small investment.
The game, published by Alea and distributed by Ravensburger, is for 2-4 players and is played in a series of four rounds. To start, each player collects a player board, random city district board. 4 random frame pieces, a patrician, and 5 markers in their chosen color. Each player then assembles their frame around their district board. Next, based on the player count, layout the appropriate number of forum cards on the mainboard. Shuffle the fountain cards into a face-down pile, layout the resource tokens, bread tokens, and coins into a general supply. Separate the tiles into two face-down piles of white and brown backs. Fill each area of the blueprint section with a face-up white tile and the sections at the bottom with brown tiles. Give each player a starting number of victory points based on turn order and have each player place a marker at the starting position on the prestige track. The game says the oldest player goes first. In turn order. Place your patrician in one of the blue squares on the mainboard and you are ready to begin.
There are two phases in a round; the building phase and the forum phase. In the building phase, the first player moves his patrician one space adjacent in either direction to the next one. He then selects a tile and places it on his district board. There are several types of tiles to choose from; landscapes, buildings, and some special tiles (fountains, bakeries, and markets). Landscapes usually require either two or three tiles to complete while the special tiles are complete on their own. A player must place their first tile on their shovel space and each tile after that adjacent. Tiles must have the same border in order to be adjacent (lake to a lake, farm to farm and building to building).
Each completed set will earn a player a reward of resources, points, or coins. Certain resources (bread tokens) can be used for special purposes. Rewards are based on the type of either resource or building and are described on the player mat.
Each building phase consists of 7 turns. After each player has placed their 7 tiles, the forum phase begins. Each player, based on where they are on the prestige track, places one of their markers in between two forum cards. The player farthest along the track goes first. If two markers are in the same space, the one on top goes first. Each forum card has two parts; a cost at the top and a reward at the bottom divided by either a green or red color band. There are two types of costs; either you own a combination of tiles (green), or you pay the cost in resources (red). One important note is that coins can be used to replace any resource a card requires. If a player cannot pay a cost or own the tiles on any card, they lose 4 victory points.
The game continues for 4 more rounds. After the last forum phase, players calculate their final score. each player adds up their victory point as well as any additional points earned for resources, frame bonuses, and prestige points. The player with the highest total wins.
Carpe Diem is a great combination of gameplay, strategy, and aesthetic. It is a wonderful weave of on your edge decisions with the challenge and creativity to make a visually stunning expression of personal creativity. Certainly a game worth considering if one is a Stefan Feld fan or for those looking for a new and unique gaming experience.
Written by Ed Carter
Lynn Makes
Evan Conroy
Ron Peterson