Belfort (2011) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Belfort is a city-building board game that was released in in 2011. Designed by Josh Cappel, Jay Cormier, Satya Hody, Sen-Foong Lim, and Hans-Georg Schneider, this game combines elements of area majority, worker placement, and hand management. Players take on the roles of competing guilds in the fantasy town of Belfort, where they must collect resources, construct buildings, and hire workers to earn victory points.

Game Components of Belfort

Game board featuring the city of Belfort

Worker tokens (elves, dwarfs, gnomes)

Building tiles

Resource tokens

Scoreboard

Player boards

Cards (contracts, events, etc.)

How To Setup Belfort

To set up Belfort, start by placing the game board in the middle of the playing area. Each player chooses a player board and places their worker tokens on it. Shuffle and deal out a set of contracts and events, and distribute the necessary resource tokens. The scoreboard is also placed within reach of all players. The building tiles are arranged randomly around the board, ready for the game to begin.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Worker Placement: Players place their worker tokens (elves, dwarfs, gnomes) in different buildings to gather resources, construct new buildings, or fulfill contracts.

Resource Management: Manage resources to build and maintain buildings.

Contract Fulfillment: Complete contracts to earn points.

Game Objective: The goal is to have the most points by building and managing the city efficiently, fulfilling contracts, and utilizing resources effectively.

Player Experience

Playing Belfort involves strategic planning and resource management. Players must balance their worker placement to maximize their resource gathering, building construction, and contract completion. The game supports 2-5 players and typically lasts around 90 minutes. The game’s complexity and duration make it suitable for players aged 12 and above.

Pros

Engaging Mechanics: The combination of worker placement and resource management keeps the game engaging.

Strategic Depth: Requires careful planning and strategy to win.

Thematic Integration: The fantasy setting with elves, dwarfs, and gnomes adds a unique and enjoyable theme.

Replayability: Random setup and various contracts ensure high replayability.

Cons

Complexity: The game can be overwhelming for new players due to its multiple mechanics.

Length: The 90-minute playtime may deter some players.

Components: Managing the various tokens and cards can be cluttered.

Personal Thoughts on Belfort

**Belfort** is ideal for fans of worker placement games and those who enjoy strategic city-building scenarios. It offers a rich and immersive experience with its unique fantasy theme and deep gameplay mechanics. However, due to its complexity and playtime, it might not be the best fit for casual or new board game enthusiasts. For those who enjoy games that challenge their strategic thinking and offer high replayability, **Belfort** is a great addition to their game collection.

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