Today, we’re unboxing Puerto Rico 1897 – Special Edition from Awaken Realms! This remastered collector’s version takes one of the most iconic eurogames of all time and gives it the full modern production upgrade — minis, acrylics, dual-layer boards, metal coins, a playmat, and more.
I covered this campaign back when it launched, but now that it’s finally here in the studio, I wanted to crack it open and show you exactly what you get inside the Special Edition. From the reworked art direction to the incredible terrain pieces and premium component upgrades, this version is a massive step up from the original 2002 release.
Whether you backed it, missed the campaign, or are still deciding if the Special Edition is worth hunting down, this unboxing will give you a full look at the production quality, inserts, upgrades, and overall table presence.
🎯 Here’s What You’ll See in This Unboxing: ✔️ Art book impressions (and why this one actually surprised me) ✔️ Dual-layer player boards & punchboard quality ✔️ Miniatures, terrain, and SunDrop detailing ✔️ Acrylic tokens and upgraded building tiles ✔️ Metal coins modeled after real Puerto Rican currency history ✔️ Playmat overview & component storage ✔️ Extra content including the San Juan card game
💬 What Do You Think? Did Awaken Realms nail the production? Are the minis and acrylics worth the upgrade for a euro like this? Drop your thoughts below — I read as many comments as I can.
🚩 Disclosures This video is not sponsored. All thoughts are my own.
⏱ Timestamps (10 or fewer)
00:00 – Intro & What Is Puerto Rico 1897 Special Edition? 00:41 – Art Book Overview & Why This One Surprised Me 01:47 – Rulebook, Roles, and Punchboard Components 03:45 – Dual-Layer Player Boards & Early Impressions 06:24 – Miniatures, SunDrop Wash & Resource Pieces 10:13 – Metal Coins & Historical Details 14:23 – More Minis, Workers & Detail Shots 19:39 – Playmat Overview 20:23 – Acrylic Tokens & Storage Inserts 24:11 – Terrain Pack & Building Miniatures 28:12 – Bonus Game: San Juan Card Game 29:23 – Final Thoughts & Outro
