Corrosion (2021) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Corrosion is a board game released in 2021 by designer Stefan Bauer and published by Deep Print Games. It falls under the category of Industry/Manufacturing and is designed for 1–4 players, with a recommended age of 12 and up. The game features mechanics such as Action Retrieval, Contracts, Deck, Bag, and Pool Building, Follow, and Hand Management, providing players with a strategic and engaging gameplay experience.

Game Components of Corrosion

Player boards

Engineer cards (with strengths and color suits)

Gears (small, medium, and chrome)

Steam tokens

Corrosion wheel

Turning machines

One-shot machines

Chrome machines

Award tiles

Special point tokens

Automata deck for solo play.

How To Setup Corrosion

To set up the game, each player starts with a player board, a hand of 6 engineer cards, a few point tokens, and a set of gears (chrome, small, and medium). The player board includes steam tokens in the hot and cold halves of the boiler, and spaces to place engineers and machines. The corrosion wheel, a central component, is placed on the main board. Players must also prepare the market for better cards and set up the award tiles and special point tokens. The setup can be reasonably time-consuming, but it sets the stage for the intricate gameplay that follows.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Key Mechanics:

Deck and Hand Management: Players manage their hand of engineer cards to take various actions.

Action Retrieval: Engineers return to the player’s hand when the corrosion wheel’s X symbol aligns with the sector where they were played.

Follow Mechanic: Players can mimic another player’s action by playing a higher strength card of the same color suit.

Rust Mechanic: Machines and gears rust away after a few turns, except for chrome machines and gears.

Solo Play: Uses an automata deck to simulate AI actions[5%.

Game Objective:

The objective is to score the most points before the special point tokens or award tiles run out. This is achieved by building and maintaining efficient factory engines, using gears and steam, and leveraging one-shot and permanent machines to maximize scoring opportunities.

Player Experience

Playing **Corrosion** involves a dynamic balance between managing resources, building machines, and optimizing actions. The game has a strong engine-building core, where players constantly adapt to the corrosion mechanic that introduces a layer of unpredictability. The follow mechanic allows for strategic interaction with other players, while the solo mode provides a challenging and engaging experience without the need for other players. However, the game can feel long, especially in multiplayer, and some players may find the setup and teardown process cumbersome.

Pros

Engaging Engine-Building: The game offers a satisfying engine-building experience with a unique rust mechanic.

Strategic Depth: Combining resource management with the follow mechanic adds depth to the game.

Excellent Solo Mode: The solo mode is well-designed and provides a fun, challenging experience.

Thematic Consistency: The industrial theme is well-integrated into the gameplay mechanics.

Cons

Long Playtime: Games can take 60-120 minutes, which may be too long for some players.

Setup and Teardown: The game requires a significant amount of time to set up and tear down.

Limited Variety: Some components, like one-shot machines, become highly sought after, reducing variety in player choices.

Art and Component Quality: Some players find the art to be less appealing and the components not fully distinguishable.

Personal Thoughts on Corrosion

**Corrosion** is ideal for fans of midweight Euro games who enjoy engine-building and strategic resource management. It is particularly suited for solo players or those who prefer 2-player games, as these formats minimize downtime and enhance the overall experience. While it may not elevate the genre, it offers a unique twist with the rust mechanic and provides a engaging, if somewhat lengthy, gameplay experience. If you’re looking for a game that challenges you to manage resources efficiently under time pressure, **Corrosion** is definitely worth considering.

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