Hamburgum (2007) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Hamburgum is a city-building and economic board game designed by Mac Gerdts and published by PD-Verlag in in 2007. The game is set in Hamburg during the 17th century, a time of flourishing trade and economic growth in the region. Players take on the roles of wealthy merchants competing to build the most prestigious buildings and gain influence in the city.

Game Components of Hamburgum

Game board featuring 17th Century Hamburg

Player boards

Church tiles

Goods tokens (cloth, beer, sugar)

Guildhall and Dockyard tokens

Rondel mechanism

How To Setup Hamburgum

To set up Hamburgum, players first place the game board in the middle of the playing area. Each player chooses a player board and places it within reach. The church tiles are shuffled and placed face down on designated spaces on the board. Goods tokens, Guildhall, and Dockyard tokens are distributed according to the setup rules. Each player starts with a set amount of goods and a position on the rondel.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Rondel Mechanism: Players move their marker around the rondel, selecting actions such as Church, Trade, Cloth, Guildhall, Beer, Dockyard, and Sugar.

Resource Management: Players manage goods to make donations to churches.

Church Construction: Building churches is the primary objective.

Game Objective

The game ends when six churches are constructed. Players earn points for their contributions to these churches, with the player having made the most prestigious donations winning the game.

Player Experience

Hamburgum offers a strategic and engaging experience, requiring players to balance resource collection and church donations. The rondel mechanism ensures that players cannot repeat actions without incurring costs, adding a layer of depth and planning to the game.

Pros

Strategic Depth: The game requires careful planning and resource management.

Historical Theme: Set in 17th Century Hamburg, it offers a unique historical context.

Replayability: Different rondel actions and resource availability ensure varied gameplay experiences.

Cons

Learning Curve: The rondel mechanism and multiple actions can be complex for new players.

Length: The game can take around 75 minutes to complete, which may be too long for some players.

Personal Thoughts on Hamburgum

Hamburgum is ideal for fans of German-style board games and those who enjoy strategic resource management and city-building themes. It is suited for players looking for a game that challenges their planning and execution skills. While it may not be the best fit for casual or new board game enthusiasts due to its complexity, it is a gem for experienced players seeking a rich and engaging gaming experience.

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