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

1 Game Board

17 Wooden Tokens

120 Cards (including Architect cards, Action cards, Bonus cards, and Noble cards)

1 Rulebook

How To Setup Bruxelles 1897

To set up Bruxelles 1897, players start by constructing the Art Nouveau Area (ANA), a 4×4 grid of cards. For a 4-player game, four cards are taken from each of the five decks (Money, Artwork, Material, House, and Noble) and shuffled together with the wild Expo card. This group of 21 cards is then shuffled and 16 cards are randomly dealt into the grid. Bonus cards are placed beneath each column in the grid. Each player begins with 5 Architect cards in hand. The Brussels area, which includes tracks for Victory Points, Architecture, Nobility, and Prestige, is also set up along with the Prison area where some Architect cards start the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Mechanics

Action Cards: Players use Architect cards to perform actions in the Art Nouveau Area or the Brussels Area.

Majority Scoring: Players compete for majority in columns and intersections in the Art Nouveau Area to gain bonuses.

Resource Management: Players manage Belgian Francs (BEF) to pay for actions and maintain Nobles.

Worker Placement: Architect cards are used as “workers” to perform actions without a monetary cost in the Brussels Area.

Game Objective

The objective is to accumulate the most Victory Points through selling art, constructing buildings, activating Nobles, and gaining prestige.

Player Experience

Bruxelles 1897 offers a streamlined yet strategic experience compared to its predecessor. Players must balance short-term tactical decisions with long-term strategic goals. The game requires managing resources tightly and making strategic placements of Architect cards to maximize scoring opportunities. The random setup of the Art Nouveau Area introduces an element of luck, which players must adapt to each round.

Pros

Streamlined Gameplay: Simplified mechanics from the original game make it quicker and more accessible.

Deep Strategy: Despite its simpler design, the game retains deep strategic elements.

High Replayability: Random setup ensures each game is different.

Space-Efficient: Compact game box, ideal for those with limited storage.

Cons

Luck Element: Random card draw can significantly impact gameplay.

Steep Learning Curve: Initial setup and rules can be confusing for new players.

Less Interactive: Compared to Bruxelles 1893, it has less dynamic player interaction.

Personal Thoughts on Bruxelles 1897

Bruxelles 1897 is ideal for players who enjoy medium-weight strategy games with a strong focus on resource management and majority scoring. It is a great addition for those looking to expand their collection with a game that offers a rich experience in a compact package. However, it may not be the best fit for players seeking highly interactive games or those who prefer games with minimal luck elements. Overall, it is a well-crafted game that distills the essence of the original into a more manageable and engaging format.

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