Ulm (2016) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Ulm is a strategic board game released in 2016, designed by Günter Burkhardt. The game is set in the medieval and renaissance era, where players take on the role of influential patrician families in the city of Ulm, Germany. The goal is to gain prestige and influence by navigating through the city’s canals, collecting goods, and securing important positions in the cathedral.

Game Components of Ulm

Action tiles

Player boards

Resource tokens

Victory point tokens

Cathedral tower pieces

Guild and patrician cards

Action tokens

How To Setup Ulm

To set up the game, each player chooses a player board and places it within reach. The Cathedral area is prepared by placing the starting Action tile and the necessary resource tokens. Each player receives a set of starting Action tokens and resource tokens. The guild and patrician cards are shuffled and placed face down within reach of all players. The game is ready to begin once all components are distributed and the Cathedral area is set up.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Action Selection Mechanism: Players push one Action tile into the Cathedral area and carry out the three associated actions.

Resource Management: Players manage resource tokens to perform various actions.

Card Play: Players can acquire and play guild and patrician cards to gain advantages.

Cathedral Construction: The Cathedral tower grows as players perform actions, marking the game’s progression.

Objective: The goal is to accumulate the most victory points through activities in different areas of city life before the end of the 10th round, when the construction of the Cathedral is concluded.

Player Experience

Ulm offers a fast-paced and engaging experience, making it a great lighter Euro game. The action selection mechanism creates a puzzle-like scenario each turn, requiring strategic thinking and resource management. Players must navigate the hustle and bustle of the marketplace around the cathedral, leveraging guilds and patricians to their advantage.

Pros

Engaging Action Selection: The mechanism is simple yet challenging and engaging.

Fast Gameplay: The game typically lasts around 45-60 minutes.

Strategic Depth: Requires careful planning and resource management.

Thematic Integration: The game theme is well-integrated into the mechanics.

Cons

Limited Complexity: May be too light for experienced gamers seeking deeper strategy.

Luck Element: The draw of guild and patrician cards can introduce randomness.

Replayability: Some players might find the game repetitive after multiple plays.

Personal Thoughts on Ulm

Ulm is an excellent choice for those who enjoy lighter Euro games with a strong thematic element. It is ideal for players who appreciate strategic planning without the complexity of heavier games. The game’s fast-paced nature and simple rules make it accessible to new players, while the action selection mechanism provides enough depth for casual gamers to enjoy. However, experienced gamers might find it lacking in complexity and replayability.

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