Merv: The Heart of the Silk Road

A late year gem! Great graphic design compared with a easy to understand icongraphy. Very neat automa mechanic. A meaningful theme that is embedded within the interesting new mechanics. Only small flaw I couldn`t find an explanation what the little cubes are made off. But looking at the main theme of the game, I think the cubes could be silk of different grading.

I've enjoyed my three plays thus far. The kind of game that keeps you thinking long after Game Night has ended. I really need to play it again, but there are so many games and not enough game nights. --- Update, June 2024: My assessment above held up through a Deep Dive Five and beyond. The action selection system is so much fun. I've enjoyed every play, and this game is currently my favorite. === Update, September 2025: This is my favorite game. I've since purchased Sankore and preordered Ayar. I need to get those played to see if I like them nearly as much.

I adore this game! The theme, the mechanics, the artwork, the quality of the components... as perfect as a board game can be!

Fantastic Gameplay, tricky and intelligent worker placement mechanism. Very good interlockings of Action fields and thrilling scoring within the last move. Very interesting in a 2 player round. A unexpected highlight of 2020. A top recommendation, gives it a try you don't regret it

What a wonderfull game, not easy not difficult. You have to do the right choice every step to gain points and save your buildings from Mongols. Interesting and funny. Love it.