Stephens

Stephens - historical strategy board game: rebuild Lisbon in 1755

In 1755, a powerful earthquake devastates Lisbon and a large part of southern Portugal, triggering a vast reconstruction effort. Facing the surge in demand for window glass, William Stephens, a British businessman, seizes the opportunity to invest in the local glass industry. Through his vision, business acumen, and civic commitment, he establishes a pioneering venture that provides his workers and their families with medical services, access to education and culture, and permanently transforms the region's economy.

In Stephens, you play as master glassmakers working at Stephens' famous factory. Your goal: build your prestige and become the most influential figure in the city... just after Stephens himself. In this board game with a strong tactical dimension, every decision matters: plan cleverly, develop your workshops, invest in new enterprises, and promote job creation to gain the upper hand over your opponents.

An immersive board game for fans of strategy board games

At the heart of this board strategy game, an original action selection mechanism paces the game. On your turn, choose a single action from several possibilities to optimize your glass production and extend your influence on the game board:

• Take a glass item from a factory visible on the board and trigger the associated action — OR —
• Remove a token from your personal board to assign a worker to a new profession and unlock a permanent ability.

The game ends with the arrival of Napoleonic forces in Lisbon. The player with the most prestige wins. This strong historical theme, paired with a smooth mechanic, makes it a reference for enthusiasts of historical games, board games, and strategy board games.

A complete solo mode is included, featuring 6 scenarios and 5 distinct opponents to test your skills. Ideal if you are looking for a demanding and replayable solo board game, or if you enjoy exploring strategy society games at a pace of progressive challenges.

Whether you're a regular at the best board games or you're discovering titles with an economic dimension, Stephens is an excellent choice to find in any board game store or game shop offering rich and immersive experiences.