Bruxelles 1897 (2019) Board Game

Bruxelles 1897 is a board game released in 2019 by designer Etienne Espreman and published by Geek Attitude Games. The game is set in Brussels in the late 19th century, during a time of cultural and artistic flourishing known as the Belle Époque. Players take on the roles of art dealers trying to become the most influential in the city’s art scene.

Game Components of Bruxelles 1897

Modular board

72 cards

4 player boards

32 influence tokens

4 player markers

Rulebook

How To Setup Bruxelles 1897

Set up the modular board.

Shuffle the cards and place them face down.

Place the influence tokens nearby.

Each player takes a player board and markers.

Determine the starting player.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

In Bruxelles 1897, players use a combination of area majority/influence, auction/bidding, and worker placement mechanics to acquire artwork, place them in their galleries, and gain influence in different districts of Brussels. The game objective is to earn the most points by the end of the game through strategic placement of artwork and gaining influence in key areas.

Player Experience

Pros

Engaging mix of different game mechanics

Strategic depth and replay value

Beautiful artwork and thematic immersion

Cons

Can be overwhelming for new players

Some luck involved in card draws

Player interaction is limited at times

Personal Thoughts on Bruxelles 1897

Overall, Bruxelles 1897 is a well-designed game that offers a unique blend of mechanics and thematic immersion. The game’s components are of high quality, and the artwork enhances the overall experience. The pricing of the game is reasonable for the amount of content provided.

For fans of Euro-style board games and those interested in the Belle Époque era, Bruxelles 1897 is definitely worth your time. However, if you prefer games with heavy player interaction or simpler mechanics, you may want to skip this one.

There are some alternatives and similar games to Bruxelles 1897, such as Brass: Birmingham and Lords of Waterdeep, which offer similar gameplay experiences. Ultimately, whether or not Bruxelles 1897 is worth your time depends on your preferences and gaming style.

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