2023Ondřej Bystroň, Petr Čáslava, Pavel Jarosch
- Videos
- 69
- Creators
- 51
Mainly reviews
2 - 4 players60 - 120 minHeavy weight
Potemkin Villages
2025Petr Čáslava
2 - 4 players
15 - 30 min
Heavy weight: Expect a long teach
From BoardGameGeek
Potemkin Villages is a fully cooperative trick-taking game set during Catherine the Great's journey to Crimea. Each player takes on a different character, winning tricks to unleash unique abilities. Together, you'll dismantle, move, and rebuild villages along the Dnepr River, creating an illusion of prosperity. Cooperation is key: the Governor can amplify the Builder's strength, while the Painter shifts trumps to aid allies. If Catherine still beholds beauty, after there are no more cards in play, you succeed; if she sees through the ruse, you all lose. 2025 54-Card Game Design Contest: 2nd place for Best Artwork 3rd Best Cooperative Game 3rd Best Overall Game -description from the designer
Watch first
Which Potemkin Villages video should I watch?
Potemkin Villages has 3 videos from 3 creators: 1 review, 1 how-to-play guide and 1 other video. They date from 2025 to August 2026.
To learn the rules, start with "Potemkin Villages: Tutorial & Playthrough" by Gaming Rules!, which runs 37 min.
For an opinion before you buy, start with "Potemkin Villages Preview - Cooperative Trick Taking (Board Games Direct 2026)" by Shut Up & Sit Down.
If you like it, try Kutná Hora: The City of Silver and Dirt & Dust, also by Petr Čáslava, or Rebel Princess and Rebel Princess: Deluxe Edition, which share several of its mechanics.
All videos
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Gaming Rules!
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Petr Caslava
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Shut Up & Sit Down
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About Potemkin Villages
From BoardGameGeek:
Potemkin Villages is a fully cooperative trick-taking game set during Catherine the Great's journey to Crimea. Each player takes on a different character, winning tricks to unleash unique abilities. Together, you'll dismantle, move, and rebuild villages along the Dnepr River, creating an illusion of prosperity. Cooperation is key: the Governor can amplify the Builder's strength, while the Painter shifts trumps to aid allies. If Catherine still beholds beauty, after there are no more cards in play, you succeed; if she sees through the ruse, you all lose. 2025 54-Card Game Design Contest: 2nd place for Best Artwork 3rd Best Cooperative Game 3rd Best Overall Game -description from the designer
Designer
Petr Čáslava
Artist
Ekaterina Bystroň
Categories
Mechanics
Trick-taking & ClimbingVariable Player Powers