Nusfjord (2017) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Nusfjord is a board game released in 2017, designed by Uwe Rosenberg and published by Lookout Games. The game is set in the fishing village of Nusfjord in Norway, where players take on the role of fishing magnates competing to build the most prosperous fishing business.

Game Components of Nusfjord

Central action board

Player boards

Three independent decks of buildings

Elder cards

Worker tokens

Resource tokens (fish, wood, money)

Ship tokens

Building tiles

Shares of the fishing company

Turn markers

Fishing haul distribution markers

How To Setup Nusfjord

To set up Nusfjord, each player begins with a personal harbor board, a supply board, three worker tokens, and five shares in their fishing company. The central action board is placed in the middle of the table, along with four common boards shared by all players. The game starts with a random distribution of tiles that trigger the addition of new buildings at specific points during the game. Players determine their starting player randomly, and each round is divided into three phases: the fishing phase, where players determine their fish catch based on their boats; the distribution phase, where fish are allocated to elders, shares, and the player’s reserve; and the work phase, where players take three actions each, placing their worker tokens on the action board to perform various tasks such as clearing forests, buying new ships, or constructing buildings.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics:

Worker Placement: Players place their worker tokens on the central action board to trigger actions.

Resource Management: Managing fish, wood, and money to perform actions and satisfy elders.

Building Construction: Erecting new buildings and expanding the harbor.

Ship Fleet Management: Expanding and optimizing the fleet to increase fish catch.

Game Objective:

Develop the harbor and surrounding landscape by enlarging the fleet, clearing forests, constructing buildings, and satisfying local elders.

Optimize actions and resource allocation to maximize opportunities and minimize losses.

Balance the need to feed elders with the need to perform other actions, as elders require fish to be used.

Player Experience

Playing Nusfjord is a complex and engaging experience that requires strategic planning and resource optimization. The game involves a delicate balance between feeding elders, expanding the fleet, and constructing buildings, all while managing scarce resources. The worker placement mechanism adds a layer of competition and timing, as players must strategically place their workers to secure the actions they need. The game’s design encourages efficiency and long-term planning, making it appealing to players who enjoy intricate strategies and resource management.

Pros

Deep Strategy: Offers a rich and complex gameplay experience with multiple layers of strategy.

Replayability: Each game is unique due to the random selection of buildings and the different player actions.

Modular Boards: Allows players to lay out the game components according to their physical comfort and preference.

Thematic Consistency: The game’s mechanics align well with its theme of managing a fishing village.

Cons

Cognitive Demand: The game requires a high level of cognitive effort, particularly in remembering the effects of different buildings and elders.

Potential for Dominance: Powerful combinations of cards can allow a single player to dominate, though the game includes mechanisms to mitigate this.

Resource Management Complexity: Managing the distribution of fish and other resources can be challenging, especially for players with memory or fluid intelligence impairments.

Personal Thoughts on Nusfjord

Nusfjord is ideal for experienced board game enthusiasts who appreciate complex strategies and resource management. It is particularly suited for fans of Uwe Rosenberg’s other games, such as Agricola and A Feast for Odin, as it shares similar mechanics and depth. However, due to its cognitive demands, it may not be the best fit for players with fluid intelligence impairments or those seeking a more casual gaming experience. Despite this, the game’s modular design and thematic coherence make it a compelling addition to any serious board game collection.

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