Santorini: Soaring over Olympus
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The FroGames Review
You choose Hermes and soar between the towers. Your opponent takes Eirene and seems to have everything under control. Then you climb to the third level from an impossible position and win. They throw up their hands: 'One more, with different gods.'
WHAT IT IS
Seventeen deities that transform every game of Santorini
Santorini: Soaring over Olympus is an expansion designed by Gord! and illustrated by Lina Cossette and David Forest for Roxley Games. It is part of the second edition of Santorini, where the publisher redistributed the base game's deity cards and created four themed expansion packs. This expansion brings 17 divine powers inspired by Greek mythology to the table: Aeolus, Aloadae, Boreas, Daedalus, Eirene, Europa & Talus, Gryphus, Harpies, Helios, Heracles, Hermes, Hesperides, Nike, Pleiades, Polyhymnia, Selene, Stymphalians.
Here’s how it works at the table: each player chooses a deity, gains a unique power that breaks the movement and building rules, and must get their builder to the third level of a tower before their opponents. The expansion also includes two special modes: Harmonia's Test (silent cooperation between partners) and Chimera's Flight (two deities that alternate powers every turn). Inside the box, you’ll find 17 deity cards, 2 mode cards, 7 cardboard tokens, 1 additional worker miniature, and 1 Talus miniature.
What they say abroad
"For the new edition of Santorini, we redetermined the best base gods and revamped some gods that were less fun."
For the new edition of Santorini, we selected the best base deities and revamped those that were less fun.
— Roxley
This is the first expansion we've seen for the second edition of Santorini. The base game has a solid following, variable powers are its strong suit, and this expansion does exactly what it needs to: it adds variety without adding bulk. We remain curious to see how the 17 new gods change the established dynamics.
— FroGames
Santorini: Soaring over Olympus
FrogScore · FroGames editorial rating · first read: based on rules and official presentation, updated with first playsWhat's in the box
Expansion components
17 deity cards
Each card describes a unique power: Hermes flies between levels, Daedalus builds domes anywhere, Harpies move opponents. They are printed on cardstock with illustrations by Lina Cossette and David Forest.
2 mode cards
Harmonia's Test introduces silent cooperation between partners (move and build without talking). Chimera's Flight gives you two deities that alternate powers every turn, doubling tactical options.
2 miniatures
One additional worker miniature for managing multi-player setups, and one Talus miniature (the bronze giant) tied to the power of Europa & Talus. Same style as the second edition.
7 cardboard tokens
Tokens functional to the powers of some deities (e.g., Pleiades use tokens to track special positions). Essential components, not decorative.
🎲How to playThe rules in four moves▼
How to play
The flow of each turn
Each turn follows an identical structure: choose a builder, move, build. God powers modify one or both phases.
You have two builders on the board. You choose one. The other stays put. Some gods allow you to move both or change the selection rules.
Move your builder to an adjacent space (horizontal, vertical, diagonal). You can move up one level, stay on the same level, or move down as many levels as you like. You cannot move into an occupied space or one with a dome. God powers modify movement, distance, or restrictions.
After moving, build a block (or dome) in a space adjacent to the builder you just moved. Build from the bottom up: level 1, then 2, then 3, then a dome. Some gods allow you to build in distant spots, skip levels, or block your opponents.
If your builder ends its move on the third level of a tower, you win. If you cannot move or build legally, you are eliminated. Some gods have alternative victory conditions or ways to avoid elimination.
⏱️Your first gameThe play-by-play▼
A five-part game
What happens at the table
Not the rules. The experience.
Choosing the gods
Take the 17 cards, choose a couple each (or draw them randomly, depending on how much you want to shake things up). Read your god's power; you'll immediately understand how it breaks the rules. Your opponent reads theirs. No one knows yet who has the advantage, but the table is already asymmetric.
The first moves
Place your two builders on the 5x5 board. Move, build. The other player does the same. For the first 3-4 turns, it feels like chess: positioning, space control, defensive builds. Then one of you activates their god power and the game changes shape.
The power comes into play
Hermes jumps three squares. Eirene blocks an opponent's build. Boreas pushes an enemy worker off the tower they were about to win on. Every god changes a key rule, and now you understand why your opponent chose that card. You rethink your plan in real time.
The race to the third level
One of you is about to climb to the third level of a tower. The other realizes they have one turn to stop them. Build a dome on the enemy tower, block their movement, force the opponent to switch builders. Or you climb first and win. This is the moment that decides the game.
Game over
Someone climbs to the third level. The game ends. Thirty minutes, often less. Look at the board: half-finished towers, scattered domes, blocked builders. One of you says, 'One more, but I'm changing gods.' The other nods. You shuffle the cards.
🐸Know before you buyThree honest things, friend to friend▼
Know before you buy
Three things to know
Requires the base game
This is an expansion. You cannot play it without owning Santorini (Second Edition). You need the 5x5 board, the tower pieces, and the builder miniatures. The expansion only adds god cards, tokens, and two extra miniatures. If you don't have Santorini, you must buy the base game first.
Balance yet to be discovered
The game was recently released, and reviews are few (30 ratings on BGG as of August 2026). Roxley stated they have reviewed and tested the gods for the second edition, but we don't yet know if all 17 new cards are balanced against each other or compared to the base set. Be prepared to discover stronger and weaker combos.
Flat learning curve
Each god adds only one exception to the basic rules. Read the card, understand the power, play. There are no hidden references or complicated timings. The challenge is memorizing what the 17 new gods do when playing against different opponents: you'll need to re-read the cards often during your first few games.
🏆Winning and losingHow the end rewards you▼
How it ends
How to win and lose
Santorini has simple and immediate winning and losing conditions. Some gods modify them slightly.
Victory
- Move one of your builders onto the third level of a tower (the standard condition)
- Some gods have alternative conditions (e.g., forcing your opponent to move down two levels in a turn)
- If your opponent cannot make a legal move, you win by elimination
Defeat
- Your opponent climbs to the third level before you
- You cannot move any of your builders (blocked by domes or enemy builders)
- You cannot build after moving (all adjacent spaces are occupied or have a dome)
Each game lasts half an hour, replayability is extremely high thanks to the asymmetric powers, and this expansion doubles the possible combinations. If you enjoyed Santorini, Soaring over Olympus is the natural next step.
💬Frequently Asked QuestionsQuick answers before you checkout▼
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ about Santorini: Soaring over Olympus
Can I play Soaring over Olympus without the base game?
No. This is a pure expansion: inside the box, you only find 17 god cards, 2 mode cards, tokens, and two miniatures. You need Santorini (Second Edition) with the board, towers, builders, and base rules. It is not a standalone game.
Are the gods in this expansion more complex than those in the base game?
Roxley stated that they moved the more complex gods into the expansions. In general, the powers here modify movement and building in ways that are less immediate than the base gods (e.g., Europa & Talus introduces a third miniature on the board). Recommended after having played at least 5-10 games with the base set.
What mechanics does Santorini: Soaring over Olympus use?
Variable Player Powers is the key mechanic. Every god breaks a different rule. The base game uses Grid Movement, Tile Placement, and King of the Hill (vertical racing). The expansion doesn't add new mechanics, just more powers to combine.
How do Harmonia's Test and Chimera's Flight modes work?
Harmonia's Test is a silent cooperative team mode: move and build for your partner without communicating verbally. Chimera's Flight gives you two gods instead of one, and you alternate powers each turn. Both require the base game and are optional, not mandatory.
Is it available in Italian?
No. This edition is in English. The god cards contain text (power descriptions), so you need to read English or translate the cards once and keep them as a reference. The Santorini Second Edition base game was published by Roxley in English; there are currently no official Italian editions.
The people behind the game
Who invented it, who illustrated it, who publishes it — and what else they've done.
Santorini: Soaring over Olympus is an expansion for 2-4 players designed by Gord! and published by Roxley Games in 2025. It introduces 17 new god cards inspired by Greek mythology (Hermes, Daedalus, Harpies, Eirene, and others) and two special modes: Harmonia's Test (silent cooperative) and Chimera's Flight (double power). Each game lasts about 30 minutes, recommended age 8+. The main mechanic is Variable Player Powers: every god modifies movement, building, or victory conditions. Requires Santorini Second Edition to play. Illustrations by Lina Cossette and David Forest. Available on frogames.business.
Santorini: Soaring over Olympus
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers you're looking for, no beating around the bush.
📸Do the images match the actual product?
The photos on the website often come from BoardGameGeek and are intended to give you an idea of the game. They may vary slightly from the version you receive. The content declared by the publisher is always binding.
📦Does the content of the box match what is indicated?
We always strive to provide the correct content, but minor variations are possible due to reprints or updates. The information comes directly from the publishers. If you have any questions, please contact us!
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