Garphill Games' new fleet-building strategy game about Phoenician city-states competing for Mediterranean dominance is now available for pre-order at Fantasywelt — in English.
The Great Sea (English Edition) Now Available for Pre-Order at Fantasywelt
Garphill Games, the New Zealand-based publisher behind the acclaimed West Kingdom and South Tigris trilogies, is charting new waters with The Great Sea. The English-language edition of this fleet-building strategy game is now available for pre-order at Fantasywelt for 54,49 €, with a release date set for January 1, 2027.
The Great Sea
The Great Sea — Facts
Phoenician City-States Battle for the Mediterranean
In The Great Sea, players step into the role of a leader of one of four Phoenician city-states — Tyre, Sidon, Byblos, or Arwad. From their homeland in the Levant to the distant shores of Carthage, the Phoenicians were master traders, seafarers, and navigators whose bireme galleys dominated the Mediterranean.
The goal is to be the first player to achieve victory through conquest or commerce. Players must construct and mobilize their ships, fortify trade routes, and research new technologies for both land and sea. Control of ancient temples scattered across the map is key to success, as is the ability to outmaneuver opponents in both trade and combat.
Mechanics: Area Control Meets Fleet Customization
The Great Sea blends several interlocking mechanisms. At its core lies Area Majority and Area Movement, as players expand their influence across the Mediterranean map. Hand Management and Card Play Conflict Resolution drive the tactical decisions, while Track Movement tracks progress on various development paths.
One standout feature is the ship customization system, which has drawn comparisons to Eclipse. Players can upgrade their fleets with different capabilities, creating asymmetric strengths that shape their strategy. The game ends when a player reaches a victory threshold — not after a fixed number of rounds — keeping the pressure on from the first turn.
"Euro + Area Control is right up my alley. I like the end game winning trigger and the ship customization (ala Eclipse). Looks beautiful too." — BGG user comment
Garphill Games' Expanding 2026 Lineup
The Great Sea is part of a busy 2026 for Garphill Games. Alongside Towers of Sifnos (also releasing in 2026), it marks the publisher's continued expansion beyond the historical trilogies that made them famous. Both titles were funded together on Kickstarter and are designed, illustrated, and published entirely by the Garphill Games team.
Designers S J Macdonald and Zach Smith are both Garphill veterans. Macdonald has been a core part of the studio alongside founder Shem Phillips, contributing to the South Tigris series. The art comes from Sam Phillips, whose distinctive style has defined the Garphill visual identity across multiple titles.
On BoardGameGeek, The Great Sea currently holds a 7.25 average rating from early adopters, with a complexity weight of 3.11 out of 5 — placing it firmly in the medium-heavy strategy category that Garphill fans have come to expect.
Pre-Order Details
The English edition of The Great Sea is available for pre-order at Fantasywelt for 54,49 € (EAN: 810218670632). The listed release date is January 1, 2027 — though other retailers, including Renegade Game Studios, have indicated a September 2026 release window, so the date may shift forward.
This is the English-language edition published by Garphill Games. A localized German version has not been announced at this time.
Sources- BoardGameGeek: The Great Sea (2026) — Game data, ratings, mechanics, and community discussion.
- Fantasywelt: The Great Sea (EN) — Pre-order listing with price and release date.
- Renegade Game Studios: The Great Sea — Official pre-order page with game description and September 2026 release window.
- Board Game Bliss: The Great Sea — Product details and player count information.
- Meeple University: Official How to Play — Comprehensive tutorial video with turn structure breakdown (March 23, 2026).
- Board Game Oracle: The Great Sea — Mechanics overview and price comparison.
Research as of: July 3, 2026