Furnace (2020) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Furnace is a card game designed by Ivan Lashin and published by Hobby World in in 2020. It falls into the categories of economic and industry/manufacturing games, with a post-Napoleonic setting. The game revolves around players competing to build successful factories and dominate the industrial landscape.

Game Components of Furnace

Game board

72 Machine cards

20 Engineer cards

4 Player boards

4 Assistant tokens

4 Score markers

4 Turn order markers

60 Coal resources

60 Iron resources

80 Worker tokens

Rulebook

How To Setup Furnace

Place the game board in the center of the play area.

Shuffle the Machine and Engineer cards separately and place them in designated piles on the board.

Each player receives a player board, assistant token, score marker, and turn order marker.

Place the coal and iron resources nearby.

Randomly determine the starting player.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

In Furnace, players take on the role of industrialists aiming to build the most efficient and profitable factories. The game revolves around auctions, where players bid for machine cards to improve their factories and hire engineers to enhance their abilities. The objective is to amass the most victory points by the end of the game through strategic decision-making and resource management.

Player Experience

Pros:

Engaging auction mechanic keeps players on their toes.

Strategic depth allows for varied gameplay experiences.

Beautiful artwork and thematic elements immerse players in the industrial era setting.

Cons:

Learning curve may be steep for new players.

Luck of the draw can heavily influence outcomes.

Limited player interaction may not suit all gaming preferences.

Personal Thoughts on Furnace

Furnace offers a unique blend of economic strategy and auction mechanics that can appeal to fans of industry-themed games. The game’s components are well-crafted, and the artwork adds to the immersive experience. However, the learning curve and reliance on luck may deter some players. Pricing and availability for both new and used copies vary, so it’s worth shopping around for the best deal. Alternatives like Brass or Arkwright offer similar gameplay experiences for those looking to expand their collection. Overall, Furnace is worth considering for players who enjoy a challenging and thematic gaming experience, but may not be suitable for those seeking high player interaction or quick gameplay.

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