Spirit Island vs Splendor
Side by side comparison of two top board games
Spirit Island
⭐ 8.4# 11💰 $65👤 1-4
Spirit Island is a cooperative game where players are spirits defending their island from invading colonizers. Unlike most cooperative games where players are the underdog, here players grow increasingly powerful as the game progresses. Each spirit has unique powers and abilities, offering high replayability.
FantasyFightingMythologyTerritory Building
Splendor
⭐ 7.5# 207💰 $35👤 2-4
Splendor is a fast-paced gem-collecting game where players take on the role of Renaissance merchants. Players collect gem tokens to purchase development cards, which provide permanent bonuses and prestige points. The game is easy to learn and plays quickly, making it an ideal gateway game for new board gamers.
Card GameEconomicRenaissance
Specification Comparison
| Spec | Spirit Island | Splendor |
|---|---|---|
| BGG Rank | 11 ✓ | 207 |
| Rating | 8.4 ✓ | 7.5 |
| Year Published | 2017 | 2014 ✓ |
| Price | 65 | 35 ✓ |
| Min Players | 1 ✓ | 2 |
| Max Players | 4 | 4 |
| Play Time (min) | 120 | 30 ✓ |
| Min Age | 13 | 10 ✓ |
| Complexity (1-5) | 4.06 ✓ | 1.79 |
Spirit Island wins in 4 categories, Splendor wins in 4 categories.
Spirit Island — Time Estimates
1-Player Game90 min
Quick session with a smaller group
4-Player Game120 min
Full table experience
Learning Session135 min
First time playing (includes setup & rule explanation)
Splendor — Time Estimates
2-Player Game30 min
Quick session with a smaller group
4-Player Game30 min
Full table experience
Learning Session60 min
First time playing (includes setup & rule explanation)
Category & Mechanic Comparison
Spirit Island
Categories
FantasyFightingMythologyTerritory Building
Mechanics
Action PointsAction QueueArea Majority / InfluenceCooperative PlayHand ManagementModular BoardSimultaneous Action SelectionVariable Player Powers
Splendor
Categories
Card GameEconomicRenaissance
Mechanics
Card DraftingEngine BuildingHand ManagementOpen DraftingSet Collection
Rating Comparison
Spirit Island8.4
Splendor7.5
Frequently Asked Questions
Which game has a higher rating, Spirit Island or Splendor?
Spirit Island has a rating of 8.4, while Splendor has 7.5. Spirit Island is rated higher.
Which game is more affordable, Spirit Island or Splendor?
Spirit Island costs approximately $65 and Splendor costs approximately $35. Splendor is the more affordable option.
Which game supports more players, Spirit Island or Splendor?
Spirit Island supports 1-4 players and Splendor supports 2-4 players. Splendor supports more players.
Is Spirit Island or Splendor more complex?
On a scale of 1-5, Spirit Island has a complexity weight of 4.06 and Splendor has 1.79. Spirit Island is the more complex game.
Which game has a shorter play time, Spirit Island or Splendor?
Spirit Island takes about 120 minutes to play, while Splendor takes about 30 minutes. Splendor is the quicker game.