3 Ring Circus Review: If You Like it Put 3 Rings on It 

This was one of my most anticipated games of the year, in no small part because it comes from one of my favorite designers (Calimala and Zapotec), but also the theme. Specifically the time period setting of late 1800's, when circuses were truly traveling around in caravans, by train, and this kind of entertainment was a big deal for small towns and big cities alike. For me personally it lived up to my own hype. I love the art, I love the components (those wooden circus tents are possibly in my top 10 favorite components ever), and I love the mechanics. Engage an artist, or perform. Two actions, but so much packed in each. Building your tableau, or using your tableau to put on a show. And the different kinds of shows, like Joey says, the small town shows are so interesting because if you put one on in a location where surrounding towns haven't seen one yet, they pay more, and that is just so thematically cool. If I had one negative, it would be the VERY specific requirements for big cities. Big city scoring is HUGE, so to think you might not even get to perform there if you don't end up getting your hands on one very specific card can be crushing. But overall, this one is a winner for me, definitely top five of the year so far.

I liked Italian City: Medieval 1642 ok, but with the Roma expansion, it really sings.

I saw this at Gencon and was interested in it. Everything that Tom didn't like was my initial concerns when seeing the game being demoed. Happy to see this review.

Demoed this at Gencon, I understand the complaints, but the thematic explanation for the discounts is easy. If you had the chance to work with a world-renowned magician, you may take a bit of a pay cut to do it because you know it would be better for your long-term career to get in front of more people.

I’ve enjoyed the games I’ve played so far. I do wish the ticket cards would cycle through more often however. If players aren’t performing in medium cities, those cards can sit for quite a while…making it harder to find the performers needed for the big cities. I like the individual goals as well. They give you some focus and direction.

i just saw this game trending on BBG, and i was hoping you did a review. thank you!

I’ve been wondering about this one. Thanks for the overview and review! I don’t love the artwork. The card play on the board seems confusing but overall it’s one I’m interested in.

I got at at GEN CON - it was my #1 game to get! I have played it, enjoyed it and wasn't as worried as Dice Tower about theme integration - the production is wonderful and makes up for any lack. Game play - I do agree with what is said here: not as great as I was hoping. For me it was the card system - it was purely opportunistic to get the cards you need in a given ring - and sometimes they just don't appear when you need them. Also, the last few rounds are anti-climatic (as said in the review).

Video worth watching solely based on Chris “spinning plates” (at the end)

As a Mass. native, I'm tickled to see Brockton as one of the objective cities. It is odd seeing Pittsburgh in the D.C. region and not the Philadelphia region, though. (I know DC is closer; I just don't think of it that way!)

Had a chance to play this one last weekend, and it is solid. Probably an 8 for me. The theme works for me, although the graphic design and artwork doesn't because it makes the board and cards too busy. So instead I am focusing more on the mechanics of the game during the card play but the theme when I am traversing the board from city to city and when moving Barnum. This has quick, simple turns but also enough meat in those decisions to impact your strategy of the game. The theme drew me in and the gameplay is wanting me to come back for more.

Chris - how would you rate this versus Merv?

Is it me, or does Tom look 10 years younger in this video?

I can’t tell, but did you guy think the theme worked counter-intuitive at times?

Anyone else digging Chris’ Kirby shirt?! Whenever I hear of a game that missed the mark, my brain goes to trying to think up a game that would hit the target. But I found myself shifting from thinking up a circus board game to creating a Kirby board game!

I'm surprised by your ratings. I played 3RC at GenCon with tepid expectations and I was pleasantly surprised to the extent that I pre-ordered it. A really fun game, and the theme felt very integrated to me!

This definitely sounds like a 1 play review.

I didnt love it. I felt like its just a bit chaotic for me.

I can't help but feel disappointed by this. Sounds fairly outdated.

This is a pretty good game you need to play it in order for you to judge the game, clearly here they haven’t played the game… I have played a couple of time and I love it!! I would recommend everyone to give it a try and judge by your experience. Not some people just agreeing with what the other people are saying and not having their own opinion. Also they are even contradicting themselves here lmao, they don’t even know what to said… By the way your are not playing with the box. Red Cathedral has a small box too and is another awesome game.

The central board is beautiful but that player board is UGLY.