Babylon – Beautiful Gardens on Clay Pillars

The Hanging Gardens of Queen Semiramis in Babylon are one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Sadly, we can’t admire them today. What we can do is recreate them on our tables. Welcome to my review of Babylon, published by Portal Games.

Babylon - First Impressions

My very first thought after opening the box of Babylon was: “Oh wow, this is going to be a total mess on the table.” Inside you’ll find a mountain of components meant to be used during gameplay. This is a 3D abstract strategy game, and like many in this genre, the rules are simple, the gameplay is only as slow or fast as the players make it, and the finished product is one of the most beautiful board games out there. The question remains: is this the right game for you?

Photos in this article are by Łukasz Bialik — check out his Instagram profile at @boardgamelook

Babylon and the Simplicity of Gardening

In Babylon, your task is to design stunning Hanging Gardens. In real life, this probably wasn’t simple at all — but here, the rules shouldn’t give you much trouble. I’d compare it to Azul: the actions are straightforward, and only the scoring might trip you up.

On your turn, you:

Take a tile from the three-level quarry.

Collect pillars based on the tile’s edges (matching lower levels, quarry edges, or your flower color).

Optionally build a garden tile supported by three or four pillars. If three, you place a pavilion on the unsupported corner. Each tile has four spaces, some with decoration symbols. If your placement allows, you may add a decoration (statues, fountains, bridges, staircases, pavilions). Think of it like placing a meeple on a tile in Carcassonne.

Store or discard leftover pillars.

The decorative elements grant points at the end of the game, usually based on multipliers or the level where they’re placed. The rules are quick to teach, the rulebook is slim, and before long you’ll be building your gardens in style.

Babylon and Relaxing Puzzle-Solving

What makes Babylon enjoyable is that the rules are streamlined — no fiddly exceptions or micro-rules. You simply draw a tile, grab some 3D pieces, build on the board, and pass the turn.

But beneath that simplicity lies engaging puzzle-solving. From the moment you select a tile, you’re already planning not only your immediate move but your future structure. Do you take the tile with more symbols but fewer pillars, or grab one that gives you more resources right now? Every pillar and tile placement influences final scoring. Every move has consequences.

And yet, the game often feels relaxing. Watching your gardens rise higher and higher is satisfying, even as you calculate your way through.

The downside? Babylon has little player interaction. Sure, you can snag a tile your opponent wanted, but rarely out of spite — mostly because it fits your plan. You’re playing alongside others, not against them. If you dislike multiplayer solitaire, this may not be your cup of tea. Honestly, I’m surprised there isn’t a solo mode here.

Babylon: Beautiful Chaos

Let’s talk about the looks. Babylon is gorgeous — but its beauty can also be its curse.

The finished gardens are breathtaking, and the components are detailed and well-made. A special shout-out to the insert, which isn’t just storage but an active part of the game. The quarry sits in the middle of the box insert, while compartments hold all the components neatly in place. There are even extra parts included as spares.

The insert shines in cleanup too: just drop everything back into its slot, and next time you’ll be set up in under a minute. Round trackers add another clever touch: each introduces a small rule tweak, boosting variety and replayability.

So where’s the chaos? Well, one bump of the table or accidental nudge can bring the whole thing crashing down. The player boards have cutouts for the basic pillars, but the tiles themselves don’t lock in. Adding grooves would’ve raised production costs, sure — but it feels like a missed necessity. With tall gardens and shaky hands, Babylon can quickly collapse into frustration. For players with motor skill issues, this could make the game unplayable.

Scoring can also be tricky. With so many decorative elements, it’s easy to overlook something. This isn’t a design flaw per se, but it does demand careful attention when tallying points.

Final Thoughts

Babylon is a fantastic abstract strategy game: simple rules, engaging gameplay, and the joy of creating something beautiful. Scoring high and building tall gardens is far from trivial. And the insert — seamlessly integrated into both storage and play — is one of the best I’ve seen.

But all that beauty comes at a cost. A single clumsy move, a shaky table, or unsteady hands can reset the game entirely. Early in a session, it’s just annoying. Late in the game? It can make Babylon feel unplayable.

If you know how dexterity games fare at your table, you’ll know whether Babylon is for you. For everyone else: it’s a gorgeous, clever puzzle with one glaring flaw.

Thanks to Portal Games for providing a review copy of Babylon.