- BGG rank
- BGG #10,455
- BGG rating
- 6.0
Continental Express
- 2–4 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 1.2/5
- 2014
- BGG rank
- BGG #15,576
- BGG rating
- 6.3
Shadows of Macao
2019
Rules assistance for Shadows of Macao
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–4 players
- 30 min
- 10+
- Complexity 1.6/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Shadows of Macao
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Shadows of Macao is a board game released in 2019 for 2–4 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Charles Chevallier and its main mechanics are Open Drafting and Contracts.
Similar games
- BGG rank
- BGG #452
- BGG rating
- 7.3
Abyss
- 2–4 players
- 30–60 min
- Complexity 2.3/5
- 2014
- BGG rank
- BGG #970
- BGG rating
- 7.0
Kanagawa
- 2–4 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2016
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,318
- BGG rating
- 7.2
Conspiracy: Abyss Universe
- 2–4 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.8/5
- 2019
- BGG rank
- BGG #4,368
- BGG rating
- 6.5
Masques
- 2–4 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2010
- BGG rank
- BGG #10,278
- BGG rating
- 6.2
Gentlemen Thieves
- 2–5 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 1.8/5
- 2012
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,823
- BGG rating
- 7.1
Looot
- 2–4 players
- 35 min
- Complexity 2.1/5
- 2024
- BGG rank
- BGG #2,914
- BGG rating
- 6.8
Micropolis
- 2–6 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.8/5
- 2018
- BGG rank
- BGG #16,986
- BGG rating
- 6.3
Small Detectives
- 2–5 players
- 15–30 min
- Complexity 1.0/5
- 2017
- BGG rank
- BGG #9,295
- BGG rating
- 6.5
Legions: Abyss Universe
- 2 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 2.1/5
- 2025
- BGG rank
- BGG #11,990
- BGG rating
- 6.1
Nautilus
- 2 players
- 25 min
- Complexity 1.5/5
- 2012
- BGG rank
- BGG #14,392
- BGG rating
- 6.2
Ici Londres
- 3–6 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 1.2/5
- 2013
About the game
In the underbelly of Macao, city of crimes, the local mafia’s Boss is dead, leading to a power vacuum. The Boss’s widow has put you in charge of the family business. Will you develop your shady activities into a true criminal empire? There’s only a single seat available at the top… Shadows of Macao is an engine-building game where players extend their empire by using shifty informants and establishments of ill reputation. During their turn, each player can do one of three things: contact an informant and receive their card that can be used to produce resources; spend these resources to recruit an informant permanently in their triad, and activate their special power; or build one of the available establishments. The game accelerates as the players build their engine, until each choice becomes critical to your victory! The game ends when a player has recruited a total of 7 members in their triad, or if there are no more establishments available. Each building is worth a certain amount of money, and the richest player wins!
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Ankama
- Board Game Box
Questions and answers
Shadows of Macao supports 2–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Shadows of Macao is 30 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Shadows of Macao for ages 10 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Shadows of Macao has a complexity rating of 1.6 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Shadows of Macao belongs to these categories: Card Game and Mafia. Its main mechanics are Open Drafting and Contracts. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Shadows of Macao are: Charles Chevallier. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Shadows of Macao as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.