- Publisher : Eagle-Gryphon Games
- Designer(s) : Matthias Cramer, Stefan Malz, Louis Malz
- Artist(s) : Ian O'Toole
- Players : 1–5
- Playing time : 60–120 Min
- Weight BGG : 3.07
What's this?
Welcome to the court of Louis XV! In Rococo Deluxe Edition , you’re not just a player, but the owner of a prestigious fashion house at the height of French elegance . Your goal is simple yet ambitious: become the most renowned tailor in France by outfitting the guests at the last grand ball of the season . From crafting extravagant gowns and recruiting skilled staff to financing sumptuous decorations (right down to the final fireworks display), everything is a matter of prestige and elegance .
How do you play?
The game takes place over 7 rounds , each divided into four distinct phases:
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Preparation: We are renewing the offer of new clerks, resources (silk, lace, thread) and ball gown models on the set .
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Clerk Selection: Each player secretly chooses 3 clerk cards from their hand for the round . This is where the strategy begins, as each employee (Apprentice, Journeyman, or Master) possesses different abilities .
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Performing Actions: Players take turns playing a card to perform a main action. The possibilities are numerous:
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Acquire resources: Collect fabrics and ornaments .
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Crafting an outfit: Create a costume or dress to sell (immediate money) or rent (prestige points and presence on the set) .
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Hire a clerk: Expand your team to obtain more powerful actions .
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Funding a decoration: Investing in musicians or statues for end-game bonuses .
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Deputize a clerk: Send an employee to court to earn money and free up space in your hand .
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Income: Players receive their winnings based on their investments and prepare for the next round .
The game ends with a grand ball and a final tally where the accumulated prestige (rented outfits, majorities in the rooms, decorations) designates the winner .
Is it good?
Rococo Deluxe is a Eurogame that brilliantly manages to make a “haute couture” theme engaging. This Deluxe edition elevates the experience with sumptuous components that immediately immerse us in the refined atmosphere of the court of Versailles. Ian O’Toole ‘s illustrations are stunning: nothing is left to chance, every detail elegantly transports us to the ambiance of the Rococo salons.
We particularly appreciate the twisted deck-building mechanic : here, managing the cards you choose to play each turn offers complete control over your strategy. While the game flows smoothly, it demands meticulous planning where every decision carries weight. Which clerk should you recruit? Which one should you play immediately? Should you sell a robe to replenish your coffers or rent it out to secure a majority stake? You also have to juggle the different skill levels—Masters, Journeymen, or Apprentices—each offering distinct action possibilities.
The strategic depth doesn’t end there: revenue collection, kitchen management, and securing majorities in the various rooms and on the balcony for the fireworks display shouldn’t be underestimated. This multitude of parameters gives the game excellent replayability.
However, some spaces on the board are limited, and this indirect interaction in the race for the best positions may frustrate the most calculating players. It could also be criticized for becoming somewhat repetitive if played too quickly, as well as for its high price, justified by the exceptional quality of the components.
Ultimately, Rococo Deluxe is a masterful re-release. It’s a must-have for fans of management games willing to invest time (and a certain budget) in a gaming experience as elegant as its majority mechanic.
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Rococo Deluxe Review
Positives
- Exceptional equipment
- Original theme
- Deck-building mechanics
- Depth of choices
- Smooth gameplay
- Clever planning
Negatives
- High budget
- Indirect interaction, sometimes frustrating
- Possible repeatability
