Garphill Games

Ezra and Nehemiah

Ezra and Nehemiah - Main image
$40.2 $60 In stock

Category: Base Game

The aim of Ezra and Nehemiah is to be the player with the most victory points (VP) at game's end. Points are gained primarily by building the temple, rebuilding the city walls and gates, and by teaching the Torah to the returning exiles. Players may also seek to develop their land, travel to settlements outside the city walls, or stoke the altar's fire to keep it burning day and night. The prophets Haggai and Zechariah will be doing their part to keep the people focused on what is most important.

Over three weeks (rounds), players will use their hand of cards, workers, and resources to do their part in rebuilding the great city of Jerusalem. After six days of work comes a Sabbath day of rest when food will be needed, and the week's work will be reflected upon. The game ends after the third Sabbath has been completed.

Customer Reviews (4.8 / 5 · 5 reviews)

Matthew W. ★★★★★

Rebuilding the walls and gates felt genuinely rewarding, and I liked that teaching the Torah gave me a quieter path to points when I wasn't racing for the temple. The scoring stays tight right to the end, which kept everyone at the table invested.

Nicholas P. ★★★★★

The worker placement tension is real here, especially when you’re jostling for the best spots to teach the people while also pushing the temple build forward. I’ve played three times already and the scoring via gates and walls keeps every game close to the wire.

Ella W. ★★★★★

The tension of racing to rebuild the walls while another player snatches the gate tiles you were eyeing is exactly the kind of pressure I love in a strategy game. The victory point system keeps every turn meaningful, whether you're teaching or pushing for temple construction.