Over the course of 8-10 rounds, depending on player count, an Era will pass by as players alternate taking actions to build, network, develop, sell, request loans, and scout-all in a tightly-organized map that requires a lithe dance of enlarging personal networks while utilizing the benefits of the opponents’.Įach of those actions ties neatly into the others so that every turn is a delightful internal debate of which moves provide the greatest return on investment, either immediately or later in the era. Played over two phases-the Canal and Rail Eras- Brass: Birmingham demands that players aim to accrue substantial income values and high victory point totals in order to win the game. Players will have to juggle hand management, network-building, and a good dose of strategical moves within the map’s infrastructure to make the most out of their industrial empires, and those of the other players.ĭesigned for two to four players, it takes between one and two hours to finish, but you very well may want to start right over with a new game once you complete the game. It’s a competitive game, heavy on the rules but light on the eyes. It’s got the goods (the manufactured goods) to prove it. It’s not riding on the strength of the Brass name alone. But Brass: Birmingham hits that sweet spot for me.Īgain, this is a sequel, but it doesn’t suffer from the usual woes that plague follow-ups, revisits, and retreads. It feels mature, like a game with more life experience.
It comes down to how the sequel doesn’t feel like the younger sibling.
#BRASS BIRMINGHAM REVIEW FULL#
That doesn’t capture the full reasoning, though, behind the decision to review Birmingham first.
Hearing about the updated or modified game piqued my interest, right as I was starting to discover more Euro-style board games and strategy experiences that contrasted my history of playing day-long Fantasy Flight space epics.
#BRASS BIRMINGHAM REVIEW SERIES#
Well, my introduction to the Brass series was through Birmingham. Why take a look at the new kid on the block when you haven’t discussed the classic yet? But Brass: Birmingham was designed to be… even better?Īnd at this point, you might be wondering why I’m reviewing Birmingham before Lancashire. Brass: Lancashire was redesigned to be better than ever. It capitalized on a dynamic board setup and other new gameplay mechanics to imbue the original with even more potential.
Brass: Birmingham brought beer-and a lot more-to the conversation. It’s the same level of production that I’ve come to expect from Roxley Games, and it’s been applied to a truly special board game.Īt the same time, though, a sequel was introduced. Cuddington, as well as fresh graphic design that updates the look to match the high-quality components that were added on. One of the best-regarded boardgames out there got a new skin, some new fancy parts, and a new lease on life, with beautiful illustrations by Damien Mammoliti and Mr. With a somewhat abstract style and complex set of rules, it wasn’t always the most accessible to tabletop gamers, but in 2018, a Kickstarter campaign from Roxley games brought Martin Wallace’s masterpiece back to life with stunning colors and some tweaked gameplay. Brass: Lancashire, first published in 2008 as Brass, is a beloved economic game that is one of the most highly-rated boardgames out there.
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