Lisboa - Playthrough & Review

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This is "Lisboa," published by Eagle-Gryphon Games released originally in 2017. This video includes a board game rules overview. Let us know what you think about the game in the comments section below!
JUMP:
0:00 - 22:19 - Overview/Rules Teach
22:20 - 1:29:05 - Gameplay - First Period
1:29:06 - 1:32:08 - Mid-game scoring
1:32:09 - 2:11:18 - Gameplay - Second Period
2:11:19 - 2:18:06 - End-Game Scoring
2:18:07 - END - Review
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[@BeforeYouPlay]

What are your thoughts on Lisboa?

[@truelifetales]

Probably my favorite Lacerda. I've been waiting for this one! :)

[@browe]

So torn between Lisboa and On Mars as my favorite... both are high on my overall Top 10.

[@lucarossi7989]

Best Lacerda game

[@sador42]

Love this game. Are you going to do On Mars?

[@mbrochh82]

This game gave me a massive headache. Only played it once, though, and never had the guts to try it again.

[@ianotoolevideo]

Thanks so much! Especially for your very kind words about The Gallerist :) You've done a great job with this series, it can't have been easy!

[@bvergara]

I sometimes find myself just staring at the board and the tiles mesmerized by the artwork.

[@vitallacerda]

Play a card, take the action and take a new card, that’s it. Simple game. ;)

[@BeforeYouPlay]

haha simple! What a masterpiece.

[@just_mini_painting]

Couldn’t be easier. Thanks, Vital. I’ve been a couch potato on Mars and now I’m being a couch potato in front of Lisboa. Candide!

[@kossowankenobi]

Another beast - wow. Such an investment of brain-energy but looks so rewarding. Love building stuff! Time to finally crack that Kickstarter copy...

[@warpo007]

Thank you Mr Lacerda for your high standards and deep games. It's taking me a while to get my head around Co2. Lisboa and On Mars next. Can't seem to find a copy of The Gallerest in Aus at the moment. Again Thank you Sir!

[@HoldentheHuman]

Play the card and then follow all the steps in the player aid.

[@Xix1326]

Very smooth 2.5 hr playthrough. No humming, bad singing, ums, ahs, or other stuf. Excellent rules explanation at the beginning and the gameplay is well done. Even gave us timestamps. Thanks for the fine video.

[@BrandonGraham]

I appreciate your commitment to referring to things by their names according to the rulebook/theme. Even with normal games, it's too easy to slip back into spending moneydollars, visiting the dudes, picking up the score cards and placing your workers. you fancy

[@BeforeYouPlay]

LOL "visiting the dudes" that's funny how accurate that statement is. We're not actually this strict (at all) when we play casually

[@sharingmatters]

You were one of the main reasons I bought this game. It took me some time to become in love with the game. But I got there. Your enthusiasm helped me. With OnMars and The Gallerist it was love from the first sight.

[@brian8972]

I bought Lisboa bc of your series on Vital Lacerda games for me and my wife. We played our first game last night and stayed up til 1230am to finish after we got a handle the rules / actions. Thanks for the great content! I especially enjoy that your content if often aimed at 2 player which is what we play 99% of the time. We really enjoy heavier games so this was great and I can't wait to play it again. I may have also just ordered Kanban EV haha

[@DooDooDaddyTV]

I also love how much you guys talk about the games at the end of your videos. After playing it I would be exhausted but you give so much helpful information about your experiences.

[@alrith72]

Finally got round to watching this, great video guys, thank you. Clear teach, running through actions as you play, job well done 👍

[@GuillaumeBellemare]

Watched it once and then two times again for the rules part. You guys are so clear when you explain things, I now sorta feel like I can teach this! Thanks!

[@jennylane-smith2022]

1:23:35 - Monique's death stare when Naveen says "you can always just get rid of a card for a gold" had us cracking up!

[@matslarsson6919]

So happy I found this channel. You guys are awesome. Lisboa is a glorious masterpiece of a game.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Aww thank you so much. Totally agree, such a masterpiece!

[@LeRoi81]

One of my favorite games, so exiting und rewarding! A 10 of 10. Your playthrough is really well done, thanks for your effort!

[@TheDiceman56]

Well done to both of you. Vital Lacerda and Ian O'Toole are truly masters of their art. Your high standard towards his games are on the same level. Well done. You are so natural and casual, yet very professional. You create a genuine homely feel throughout. So smoothly done. Thank you for your hard work in order to give us these excellent playthroughs. This one must have been a beast to put together. Stay safe and thank you.

[@markalexandermaron5531]

The funny thing is i started watching this because it was in my recommended list for some reason and i ended up subscribing and ordering from my FLGS 🤣 damn! The way rules were explained in this playthrough is just so clear that i feel i can play the game after watching. Good job guys! I'll be watching your other vital lacerda series

[@luttferreira8109]

Oh god, I finally understand the rules! Seriously, I've seen like 4 different tutorials but I've only understood it after watching your video. And I loved the game! Thank you so much Monique and Naveen. You're awesome! ❤️ By the way, there are some great flowcharts you can find on the internet that show all the actions that you can take along with their order and resolution, which makes the game even clear and enjoyable.

[@rainfallprojects501]

Just picked this one up, super excited to get it to the table after watching you two play through it. Thanks for the vid!

[@mariusferreira1297]

This an AWESOME play through, very well done, I absolutely enjoyed it a lot, thank you so much 👍

[@riancorcoran7885]

This was so unbelievable helpful! Thank you for your clarity.

[@eddyquik]

I have this on my table now . . . looking to get this playing in the next couple of weeks and can not wait!! Thank you for a wonderfully crafted teach and play.

[@snarfleezcattleprod4506]

47:27 This may be the funniest thing I've ever heard Naveen say. Also, this may be my favorite game of all time - it really is Lacerda's masterpiece.

[@DanClapp]

lol it's so easy to miss XD

[@WaywardNys]

Thank you soo much for this video! I'm hoping to play my first game of Lisboa tomorrow and this really helped :). Lacerda games are so intimidating to get into, but videos like yours are so great to bring that barrier down.

[@CosmicFard]

This video convinced me to try the game and I’m so glad I did - instant favorite! Thanks for the effort in presenting these games so clearly

[@3838jeroen]

such a good and clear playthrough. Really helps a lot!

[@fiemske]

we are going to play our first game of Lisboa this weekend and this video helps ALOT. I was rather intimidated to learn this game but this video made me not only to understand the game but also made me want to play this game even more. Excellent work!

[@user-cf8eb5ld4w]

Nice playthrough! It helped me a lot to understand this game :)

[@jcw59able]

Just finished watching this for the second time and decided to buy Lisboa. Thanks for the videos, really appreciate the work you both do

[@marcosseven8872]

Watching you playing and explaining the game, it doesn't seem to be that complicated! I watched the whole thing! crazy. watching from Ireland.

[@paulw2813]

I played this game for the first time recently and my brain could NOT handle it. LOL Your playthrough really helps me to see the flow a bit better. Thanks for the great vid, M & N!

[@popgas3821]

As much as Lisboa is popular it’s hard to find. But this is the one that got me into Vital’s creations and didn’t care if I had to ship it straight from EGG. What a masterpiece. The theme and gameplay just make so much sense, giving way more sense to “why” instead of the “how”. I was intimidated by picking this game up before but after Rahdo’s and Heavy Cardboard i I just had to get it. And now this channel’s take on this? Super Brilliant. New subscriber here btw, you guys had the CLEANEST way of presenting this. The synergy and presentation is just excellent. Again, this game will have a super special place in my heart.

[@marciamorales4239]

This an AWESOME play through, very well done. GOOOD

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Thanks a bunch Marcia!

[@sacchrine]

Love the frequent use of "penultimate" 😁 Always reminds me of the Pendragon series, as that's when I learned the meaning of the word Anyways, love the playthrough! Been binging a lot of videos and thoroughly enjoying them, especially the reviews at the end.

[@pirecrompir]

I love Lisboa, it's my favorite Lacerda game and my favorite game of all time 😊. Thanks for another excellent playthrough!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Thanks for watching! So cool to hear that it is your favorite!

[@christiangstrein4232]

When i whatch one of your playthroughs i always want to have the played game as soon as possible...i ordered it already :D!

[@matissmatiss3126]

Great playtrough, great channel, great game! :))

[@Ithayla]

1) I'm very amused by the fact that we're 1hr in and an entirely new rule is still being introduced (clergy scoring XD) 2) omg this video must have been SO much work, but it's so good and so clear. thank you both so much for making it

[@lventura1978]

My favorite game from my favorite designer!

[@kornelije.h]

First time on your channel. Great video and final words. New Subscriber!

[@pincao]

Excellent review ! Thanks

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Thank you!

[@ricardoasouza]

Great playthrough! Very well played (and commented). Really helpful, thanks! Greetings from Brazil!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Hi Ricardo, thank you so much for watching! Have you played Lisboa before?

[@ricardoasouza]

@@BeforeYouPlay Not yet thanks to Covid haha. But after your comments on the game I am more anxious than ever.

[@annatribus1146]

Great work, guys! I´ve caught fire! In love with Mr. Lacerda´s Games. Just played On Mars only twice and that is. The next will be Lisboa. 😍🥰 I´m pretty thank you! 😘

[@Sebastian-rt9qf]

Such a good play through!

[@hatifnatowie4]

Fantastic job ! Please more reviews . You are amazing couple :)

[@OurFamilyPlaysGames]

Great video....need to get this one in the collection!

[@dr3putt62]

This is my favorite one of Vital Lacerda’s games...Vinhos is also good..

[@paolopiccione7470]

Next Thursday it will be me teaching Lisboa to my gaming group. I hope I can be as clear as you guys in this video. Thanks a lot for making me love this game.

[@just_mini_painting]

Good win, Monique. You two lift the standard on fun, well played, strategic play throughs. Thanks.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Thanks! It was a tough one haha. Thanks for watching!

[@edifanobbonafide]

Thanks a lot for this video. My birthday is next month (July) and Lisboa is my one and only wish. Your Playthrough & Review just confirmed why I want Lisboa.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Awww that's awesome! Thanks for watching and happy early birthday!

[@edifanobbonafide]

@@BeforeYouPlay Thank You. It would be a great present for. I'm turning 61. It is never to late to play great games. I own On Mars and backed Kanban EV. Not to forget to tell you that I really like and appreciate what you are doing. Keep up the excellent work.

[@TheBenjamin]

This is the only game where I saw Monique that nervous, hahaha! So funny, and I agree with you that this is Lacerda's best one :)

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Right?! Monique is just too damn good though!

[@DanielBRLima]

Thank you so much for this video! S2... Greetings from Brazil o/

[@colinwright27]

This video has been a massive help. Thanks. Tried a solo game when I first got it (a year or two ago) but not played it since..... until yesterday, having watched the first hour of this video. Don't know what my problem was as it's actually a simple game but with a lot of choices in things to do.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

So glad you brought it to the table again! It is such an excellent design and sit up there as a top game for both of us. Did you play solo or with others this time?

[@colinwright27]

@@BeforeYouPlay This was 2 player with my wife, so trying to teach her at the same time as learning myself. Once you understand the iconography it wasnt too bad. Maybe try On Mars next, although she hasn't played The Gallerist yet either.

[@FanfromVenezuela]

At 1:04 he pronounced Reals correctly. It's just like he said it. Excellent video as usual. Love your channel

[@par7me]

Lisboa is probably our most played game at home. We've played it more than a dozen times. There are very few games as thematic as this one. I'm of the opinion that game setting or theme can be interchangeable but not Lisboa. The theme is integral to game play like no other except for maybe the Gallerist. Is it a Masterpiece? I think so but then again I'm hardly a gaming expert. But for me the way the mechanisms are intertwined is just brilliant. You have to do this, to do that, in order to finish this. Add the stellar artwork from Ian O'Toole and yes you have a Masterpiece. Watching your play through makes me want to play again and we just played last week. Oh and on a strategic note, I would never use a royal favor token to take an auxiliary action. Always the main action or nothing. They're too valuable to spend on getting something that can be had in a myriad of different ways. Just my opinion.

[@LeRoi81]

The Minister's State actions are always worth thinking about for a royal favor!

[@LeRoi81]

You can use the Plan which you've got from the Public Building Bonus space to open itself. The ships of the second Period come out after discarding the cards. This is a mistake in the rulebook. You can never get a ship of the second Period by discarding. Please, add that to the subtitle.

[@LaraBlancoSantos]

Naveen didn't say 'from before you play' at the beginning of the video and it totally cringed me! lol other than that great video as usual, love you guys

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Lol we were still trying to figure it out! 😳

[@languagelesslau]

I am really intrigued by this game! The economic system and all the little nuances remind me a lot of Feudum! Based on your love of this game, I think Feudum is a game you would like. Have you played it before or considered doing a video about it? I think I'll get this game soon!

[@sonicboyPT]

I had 4 playthroughs 1v1 and several 1 vs "Lacerda" (solitaire mode). This video was very helpful in learning how to play it. However after a person knows the rules it was effortless and intuitive to teach it, my girlfriend learned it in 20 minutes and I think any experienced euro style board gamer will have zero issues in learning it. I kept reading reviews and difficulty scores on Board Game Geek stressing that this game is very dense and this in my view is a bit unfair. The mechanics are intuitive. Now, it's definitely a game with enormous possibilities and freedom, I compare it with chess. Chess is easy to learn the rules and how the pieces move, but playing chess "well" is hard and a new player will be kind of at a loss of what is the best action to perform at any given time. I love how certain conditions like clergy tiles you own can make such different strategies from game to game.

[@yannisguerra]

Beautiful game, beautiful playthrough. I bought all the non Lisboa games from Vital (waiting for Kanban and the Gallerist to arrive, loved OnMars and Vinhos), and now I regret not getting it. Well, I'm sure Vital will design another awesome game and I'll get Lisboa at that time! Thanks

[@skipmcilvaine]

Woot! 😊👍🏼 Did I miss your On Mars playthrough, or is that forthcoming? Love what you guys do! Thank you! 🙏🏼

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Thank you! On Mars is definitely coming (after Escape Plan). It's the last one on the list and we are super excited about it haha. Thanks for the support!

[@mbrochh82]

Before You Play Can't wait to see these two - I have both games unopened on my shelf 🙈

[@BeforeYouPlay]

@@mbrochh82 Nice! That's exciting!

[@ivansaraev6167]

Thanks 🔥🔥🔥

[@TaeEmpty]

Well as Lacerda fan, I'm enjoying this serie, would like to see ur top once u have player all of them. Always like ur playthrough!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Thank you so much for the support! We will make a summary video at the end of it and rank them all =)

[@Ratlee94]

In 01:31:05 Naveen could not have discarded this noble card to receive the ship in the mod-game scoring, as the ships should not be there till the start of the second period. This was confirmed by Vital on BGG.

[@stewste4316]

great video

[@amethystwolf24572]

This looks like such a great brain burner, all afternoon game. Unfortunately, I can't get those to the table. At all. Well, at least I got to watch you guys play!

[@yijindai3630]

Great, thank u

[@TheNerdShelves]

I'll be honest. I haven't actually watched this video yet, lol, but I will set aside some time to sit down and watch it straight through. I've never actually played Lisboa, but have always been intrigued.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

It's a long one haha so I definitely don't blame you but 100% recommend this one if you have the chance to play it!

[@windyhillbomber]

Great job....

[@crookedevolution]

Thanks for the video. :) I need to play this. So far I've only played The Gallerist (which is amazing). If this is Vital's masterpiece, I think it has to be next.

[@filiplazov5895]

I am trying really hard to like this game because I tend to like heavier games but the rules are far from elegant. Thank you for helping me make the same decision, you did a great job with the video!

[@BoardGamesBooksAndWhat]

Great playthru. Would weather machine take the number 1 spot over Lisboa? Thank you for making this.

[@theSolemnBard]

54:40 The minister gets a black eye to go with his bloody lip

[@itboznkgvjugjtfg]

Haven't played this yet, looks amazing, but it seems to me that there is a too big chunk of points stemming from the decree cards, which come randomly during the game. In a two-player game, it seems that you can block your opponent, but in a higher player count, if someone lucks into a decree card, it might not be advantageous to you to negate your opponent's endgame points if it distracts you from your main strategy, since then other players not in this conflict stand better in the end. What if the decree cards were laid out at the beginning of the game, gave you more points, but were harder to come by and were harder to complete and no new are laid out? You obviously do not think this is a major problem since you like this game so much, but I'd like to know what you think of this :) Thank you very much for the playthrough!

[@gmCriva]

Great video! I’m very tempted to buy a copy of Lisboa now, if only I could find one for sale in my country...

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Aww, I hope you can find it someday! We absolutely love it!

[@Nnomadd]

IMO this is the best game of Lacerda. A master piece. It also is the game where all the mechanisms flow more naturally and more thematically, and because of that is actually not so difficult to learn. But then my home town is Lisboa as well, so I might be biased :-)

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Your hometown is Lisboa?!?!! How AWESOME! I totally agree, this game is truly a masterpiece. Glad to hear you love it too!

[@LeRoi81]

If you are low on Influence, play more Treasury cards to the court especially keep some (Public) Building ones for the endgame. So you can have more control over your opponent which lurks for following with a Royal favor.

[@mihirshahisme]

You can play the Queens mini expansion(to be released later), u just need the rules(available online); it takes the experience even higher

[@BeforeYouPlay]

oh that's exciting! We'll have to make a video with that expansion once they announce it. Perfect time for a rematch haha

[@chykoo]

@@BeforeYouPlay did it happen? i really love this video and i want to see one with queen's variant. will u do it? congrats for the chanel

[@windyhillbomber]

At 47:00 Monique produces Gold from her single shop. Shouldn’t the Gold price drop by one afterwards. Also, if the product price drops by one, does it drop again when producing a second good using the revealed “house” bonus on the player mat? EDIT: haha, I should have waited 10 mins before making the above comment. You answered my questions perfectly. 😃

[@iliaskokkotos-andreou5083]

I was wondering, is it possible to have multiple ships in your portfolio? Or must you always upgrade your current ship? Great video guys!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Great question! You can own multiple ships =)

[@lauranoyes2669]

If you were to create a house rule for clergy tiles, do you know which ones you would designate to be starting tiles to choose from?

[@npckse8508]

Just played for the first time last night. I didn't find it as much of a bear as Kanban, likely because despite having a ton you can do in this game, it is fairly wide open. The restrictions I encountered were my own fault. I sort of just glommed on to getting a slew of decrees that worked for me, as well as some excellent clergy tiles. We played at 3 and it felt like a good player count. I did wait far too long to get those favor tiles so I could start following actions. I got it right at the end of the game and it helped me snag a building right before my turn, which led to me opening a shop.

[@wenchwogg8843]

Chose Lisboa for my add-on game for Maercado de Lisboa! Not sure who the hell is gonna play it with me, but looks great.

[@TopHatFellows]

Not sure if anyone mentioned this but there was an errata to the mid game scoring, you are to discard cards first and gain their benefits and then place the ships. This prevents you from building the new ships (purple and brown) for basically free which my guy Naveen did.

[@Mikelpsu11]

Where have you read this?

[@brianbates3491]

@@Mikelpsu11 If you scroll down this page on BGG and read Vital's third comment from the top you will see the clarification about the mid-game scoring steps and what ships you are allowed to buy. Cheers.

[@stevegeorge7773]

So at 1:58:00 Navine can’t choose to do the church at all. This was covered on the BGG. Good game! Play again! 🤭 Just on components,,, the coins! Those coins! I say no more.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Oh you're absolutely right! It didn't occur to us in the moment but yeah because he was at max clergy tiles, he wasn't even eligible to move the cardinal meeple. I'm glad he didn't choose that option! Thanks!

[@acrylicpainter8873]

Can you have 2 ships in play in the first round of Lisboa , I have the first blue ship and the 2 person now wants to buy red ship for his portfolio, so that means 2 ships are now in operation. Is that possible? Thank you for your work in this video

[@KPiB]

33:31 Why the marker didn't decrease after selling good?

[@lorenzofama6043]

When Monique took a state action (producing goods) on 1:35:25 , Shouldn't she lower the price for those goods by 1 ? Or is this only done when she puts a nobel (in this case the prime minister) on her portofolio an then take a state action that needs a good (gold or books) ? Edit: This wil be corrected at 1:45:45. I was to fast mid game to respond on that :)

[@nickbrown8892]

We are realtively new Vital Lacerda and Ian O'Toole fans. Lisboa is arriving early next year, but so far our game play favorites are 1. Kanban EV 2.On Mars 3.The Gallerist. In terms of the fabulous art/iconagraphy 1.Kanban EV 2. The Gallerist 3. On Mars. Where will Lisboa come in those list? I suspect 1 and 4, but we will see.

[@shortydancer]

So i just played this, and i said what a game, but was a bit let down. There just wasn’t anything enthralling. Maybe i need to play again now that i got the rules down. And the board art actually hampers the understanding for me. Everything is blue! How do you distinguish anything?

[@gregoryhuber7591]

I have played and enjoyed all of Lacerda's games and a bunch of other games which score really high on BGG's complexity scale. This is the only game I have ever played that I could not get a handle on. This game broke my brain.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

haha I think I was running the Lisboa event that broke your brain. I don't blame you at all, it's a very different type of thinking as compared to his other titles. Maybe we can play again in the future!

[@JeanCharlesRenaud]

You reference end of period scoring, but I can't find it in the rulebook. Am I blind?

[@jakubsarna5271]

Hey, at around @30:35, when Monique is building a ship - shouldnt she also move a Treasury token up one space (ship's bonus) and get 1 Wig? (Her's token no.3)?

[@kimchi_goddess7036]

She does adjust, she just does it first at 30:25

[@chrisjohnphillips6352]

This game is on my radar. Before I watch this entire video, I wanted to ask what percentage of this game is chance? I don't like too much chance in games that I play. I heard your pet peave about the starting tiles.

[@drbasseri]

Do you guys have a patreon?

[@stephankreinbucher4229]

I wonder why you guys refill the decrees instantly. regarding to the rulebook you are just supposed to refill it after the end of period?

[@leacare7]

Just checking, but shouldn't the price of gold, cloth and tools marker move one spot to the left since purple took the "produce goods" action? 1:36:09

[@leacare7]

oh nvm, you realized it at 1:46:10

[@jjschm20]

Got this game a few weeks ago and have played it solo and 2p. I’m obsessed with it. Easily my favorite game I have ever played. Now I am looking for games that use the same kind of multi-use card mechanics because I love it so much. Any suggestions on that?

[@LeRoi81]

La Granja is a game I also love which has a brilliant multi-use-card mechanism.

[@Chironex_Fleckeri]

@@LeRoi81 Great game

[@jedigreg4636]

1:37 forgot to move the goods values down from 4 to 3 (x3 goods)?

[@DooDooDaddyTV]

This game looks INCREDIBLE. Wow its expensive though hmmm

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Yeah it's great fun, it's on our list of "forever games". Don't see us offloading it.

[@jeffwong2002]

why are you not scoring wigs for filled ships?

[@deezillusioned9909]

1:44:41 Naveen forgot to take an extra wig from the 2nd decree card he took

[@just_mini_painting]

I hope you gave yourself a break while playing. Long game. Also, I thought Monique was going to slap Naveen when he riffle shuffled the cards. Haha.

[@pirecrompir]

Haha, I thought the same thing. My heart literally stopped when I saw the shuffling 😁

[@BeforeYouPlay]

We actually took a break for dinner somewhere in the middle. It was a looong one. LOL Naveen and his shuffling! -__-