How it plays
In ancient Rome, each player builds their own city district out of tiles. On their turn, the active player moves the patrician around a circular track to a display within reach and adds the tile taken there to their district. Completed landscapes bring goods, and finished buildings bring things such as bread or an extra tile. At the end of the round, a disc is placed between two adjacent objective cards; both have to be fulfilled, otherwise each missed card costs four points. After four rounds, whoever has the most points at the end wins.
What it can help develop
Carpe Diem calls for planning ahead: every tile should fit now and also keep building spaces open for later. Working memory keeps track of half-finished buildings, missing goods and upcoming objectives, and spatial reasoning is needed to fit tiles precisely into the grid. If someone snatches the tile a player wanted or the pair of cards they had planned for, cognitive flexibility is needed: adapting the plan instead of clinging to the old one.
Especially suitable for
- Experienced family players from age 10, preferably from age 12
- Families on their way to games for experienced players
- Quiet evenings of puzzling things out with two or three players
Less suitable for
- Children who need a lively theme
- Players who struggle to cope with negative points
Our verdict
Carpe Diem is a worthwhile choice for families with gaming experience and children from age 10, better from age 12, who enjoy puzzling things out, ideally in a small group. Its strength: a lot of depth with rules that are easy to learn. Its limitations are the pale theme and the harsh negative points at the end of the round.
Getting started
- Practise only the sequence of a turn at first: the patrician moves to a display within reach, and the chosen tile is added. This limits the choice.
- Explain the abilities of the buildings with two examples instead of all at once: the baker brings bread for freer movement, the craftsman an extra tile.
In detail
Variants and player count
Carpe Diem by Stefan Feld was published by alea/Ravensburger for 2 to 4 people. The jury of the Spiel des Jahres (German game of the year award) recommends it from age 12, the publisher from age 10. For the playing time, the jury gives about 75 minutes, Miniature Market 45 to 75 minutes. According to Miniature Market, the 2021 edition has new artwork, simplified rules and four wooden patricians. According to Zatu, tiles that are taken are not replaced; according to Board Game Quest, bread allows free movement.
What reviewers say
The Spiel des Jahres jury nominated Carpe Diem for the Kennerspiel des Jahres in 2019 and praises an elegantly composed city-building puzzle with planning, yet quick turns and an unusual amount of pace for a game aimed at experienced players. Board Game Quest praises the depth of the decisions, and Zatu the good rulebook, which makes the game easy to learn; according to Zatu, with four players it takes longer and is harder to plan. Meeple Mountain and Board Game Quest criticise the weak theme, the look and the harsh scoring, and Zatu criticises the dark, hard-to-read artwork and similar symbols.
How it compares
Harmonies (from age 10, 1 to 4 people, about 30 minutes) shares the skill area of logic and planning with Carpe Diem and, like Carpe Diem, calls for planning ahead, spatial reasoning and cognitive flexibility. Harmonies can also be played solo. The Quest for El Dorado (from age 10, 2 to 4 people, about 45 to 60 minutes) shares the skill area of logic and planning and, like Carpe Diem, calls for planning ahead and cognitive flexibility. Carpe Diem suits experienced family players from age 10, or rather from age 12, and families on their way to games for experienced players. Carpe Diem is less suited to children who need a lively theme or cope badly with negative points.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What age is Carpe Diem suitable for?
Carpe Diem is recommended from age 10, but the jury only recommends it from age 12. Players who already know other board games, can keep several things in mind at once, such as half-finished buildings and open objectives, and take negative points in their stride are ready.
How long does a game take and how many people can play?
A game takes about 45 to 75 minutes. The game is for 2 to 4 people, who play against each other, and each of them builds their own city district. With two or three people, it stays shorter and easier to plan; with four, it drags on longer.
What skills can Carpe Diem help develop?
Carpe Diem calls for logic and planning above all: when placing tiles, players have to keep an eye on the present and on the coming turns at the same time. If the tile someone was hoping for is snatched from under their nose, the plan has to be thrown out and started afresh.
What do the negative points mean?
Two objectives have to be fulfilled together at the end of the round; each one missed costs 4 points. Reviews call the scoring harsh, so the game is less suitable for children whose enjoyment is spoiled by deductions.
