Cities: Buenos Aires (Argentina)

La Boca, the most famous neighborhood in the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires, was populated by many Italian immigrants when first founded. The area is best known today for its eccentric skyline, with the houses having been built from scrapped fishing boats and the metal being colorfully painted to create a patchwork effect across the neighborhood.

Creating skylines of similar beauty and eccentricity is the goal of the construction teams that play La Boca. In shifting teams of two that sit across from one another, players try to create skylines on challenge cards – but the players can see the completed image only from their point of view, so they must consult with one another constantly to make sure each colored block ends up in the right location while racing against the timer. The faster the players complete their building, the more points they score. Then the next team takes a seat, breaks down the blocks, then begins building anew. Whoever has the most points after a certain number of rounds will stand atop La Boca and glory in the cheers of the Argentinian public!

In 1536 Pedro de Mendoza founded the city of Buenos Aires along the river Rio de la Plata. After 5 years the settlers were forced to leave the city, exhausted by the difficulties and by the continuous attacks of the indigenous Querandies. The city was destroyed by the natives some weeks after.

Almost fifty years later Juan de Garay leads a new expedition and founds a new city. As before, resources are low and the natives are angry!
But not only that: now the Corsairs paid by the English Crown threaten the new Spanish settlement!

Rio de la Plata is a strategy game where players represent the chiefs of the families of Spanish settlers of Buenos Aires. They must work together to defend and develop the city, but also look to gain sufficient prestige for themselves to take the most important political offices. At the end only one will be the new Governor! Will it be you?

First game needs about 3-4 hours.
Normal game needs about 150 minutes (4 players).

Essen 2010 Release.