Gutenberg (2021) Board Game
Gutenberg is a board game that was released in 2021 by the publisher Granna. Designed by Katarzyna Cioch and Wojciech Wiśniewski, the game is set in the world of printing and publishing during the Renaissance period. Players take on the roles of printing houses competing against each other to produce the most prestigious books.
## Game Components of Gutenberg
– **Main Board**: Central board for communal resources.
– **Player Boards**: Each player has a personal board representing their printing house.
– **Type Tokens**: Wooden type pieces with reverse Gothic vowels raised in relief.
– **Ink Tokens**: Different colored inks.
– **Gear Wheels**: Saw-toothed gear wheels that confer various rewards and advantages.
– **Contract/Order Cards**: Representing printing jobs to be fulfilled.
– **Specialty Tracks**: For advancing levels in various specialties like bookbinding or illumination.
– **Patronage Cards**: Valuable cards that provide significant points.
– **Initiative Cubes**: Used for secret bidding on actions.
– **Historical Figure Avatars**: 10 avatars, each with a special ability, including figures like Gutenberg, Caxton, and Manutius.
## How To Setup Gutenberg
To set up the game, players start by placing the main board in the middle of the table. Each player chooses a historical figure avatar and places their player board and corresponding gear wheels. The type tokens, ink tokens, contract/order cards, and patronage cards are distributed according to the rules. Players also receive a set of initiative cubes for bidding. The game is ready to start once all components are organized and each player has their starting resources.
## Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
– **Blind Bidding**: Players secretly bid on actions using initiative cubes at the start of each round.
– **Action Selection**: Players take actions in order of their bids, selecting from taking orders, gathering inks, developing specialties, improving the printing house, or taking patronage actions.
– **Gear Mechanism**: Players can acquire up to three gear wheels, which rotate each round to provide once-per-round rewards and advantages.
– **Specialties**: Players advance in various specialties to improve their capabilities.
– **Order Fulfillment**: Players fulfill printing orders using type tokens and inks; type tokens are not expended and can be reused.
– **Objective**: The goal is to complete printing orders and accumulate fame points, with the player having the most points at the end of six rounds winning the game.
## Player Experience
Playing **Gutenberg** feels like running a print shop in the early days of printing. The game is known for its strong thematic integration, particularly when fulfilling orders by lining up types and colors. The blind bidding mechanism adds an element of strategy and unpredictability, as players need to guess what their opponents will bid on. The game’s design is clean and breezy, making it easy to learn and teach, with rounds progressing quickly.
### Pros
– **Fast Gameplay**: Rounds go by quickly, making the game feel brisk and engaging.
– **Strong Theme Integration**: The game effectively captures the essence of early printing.
– **Excellent Components**: The wooden type tokens and gear wheels are particularly praised.
– **Approachable Design**: Easy to teach and learn, making it a great gateway game.
– **Strategic Depth**: The blind bidding and gear mechanisms offer a good level of strategy.
### Cons
– **Component Reshuffling**: The game requires frequent reshuffling of certain decks, which can be tedious.
– **Lack of Complexity**: Some players might find the game too straightforward or lacking in deep complexity.
– **Gear Mechanism**: While innovative, the gear mechanism can feel out of place in the historical setting.
## Personal Thoughts on Gutenberg
**Gutenberg** is ideal for fans of Euro-style games who enjoy a mix of strategy and thematic depth. It is particularly suited for groups of 3-4 players, where the secret bidding mechanism adds a layer of excitement and strategic thinking. While it may not offer enough complexity for heavy gamers, it is a fantastic choice for those looking for a fun, quick-playing game that is easy to learn and teach. The game’s components, especially the wooden type tokens and gear wheels, are a delight to handle, making it a great addition to any game night or family gathering.
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