Strasbourg (2011) Board Game

Strasbourg is a board game released in 2011 that revolves around city building and economic strategies set in a medieval backdrop. Designed by Alexander Jung and Hans-Georg Schneider, the game challenges 3-5 players to compete in securing influence and resources to develop the city of Strasbourg.

Game Components of Strasbourg

Game board

Round cards

Edifice tiles

Player screens

Family Member tokens

Task cards

Influence cards

Prestige markers

Coins

Privilege tokens

Council seats

How To Setup Strasbourg

To set up the game, place the game board on the table and shuffle the five Round cards, placing them face up in their marked spots. Shuffle the Edifice tiles and place one at the bottom of each Round card. Each player selects a color, takes the matching components, a Player screen, and five coins. Players place their Prestige markers on the 0 space of the Prestige Path. A starting player is chosen, placing one of their Family Members in the Nobility’s Seat of the Council, and the next player places one in the Church’s Seat. The other Council seats remain unoccupied. Each player receives five random Task cards, which they can choose to keep or return to the box.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Influence Management: Players use Influence cards to bid on actions such as sending Family Members to the city council, collecting goods from guilds, selling goods for money, and placing Family Members on the board.

Guild Placement: Secure spots for Family Members in guilds to advance their status and increase family fame.

Council Phase: Players earn prestige points for Family Members in the Council and gain Privileges for having the most Family Members.

Task Cards: Fulfill secret objectives listed on Task cards to score points at the end of the game.

Objective: The player with the most Prestige points after five rounds wins, earned through Family Members in the Council, adjacent to Chapels and Edifices, unused Privileges, and fulfilled Task cards.

Player Experience

Strasbourg offers an engaging mix of strategy and historical context, challenging players to make savvy decisions and predict competitors’ moves. The game is easy to learn but provides deep strategic possibilities, making it appealing for both casual gamers and those who enjoy complex strategic planning. Players must navigate the intricate social and political networks of 15th-century Strasbourg, ensuring each playthrough is unique and challenging.

Pros

Dynamic Social Hierarchy: Navigate between craftsmen, the church, and the nobility to enhance family influence and prestige.

Competitive Strategy: Outmaneuver other players to secure advantageous positions.

Historical Context: Rich historical setting that adds depth to the gameplay.

Balanced Mechanics: Easy to learn with complex strategic depth.

Cons

Minimum Player Requirement: Requires a minimum of three players, which can limit its appeal for smaller gaming groups.

Complexity for New Players: While the mechanics are easy to learn, the strategic depth may overwhelm new players.

Personal Thoughts on Strasbourg

Strasbourg is ideal for fans of strategic games who appreciate historical settings and complex social dynamics. It is particularly suited for groups of three to five players, offering a unique blend of influence management and competitive strategy. Despite its lack of traction compared to some of Feld’s other games, Strasbourg remains a structurally sound and engaging game that rewards careful planning and strategic thinking. For those who enjoy games like *The Castles of Burgundy* and *Trajan*, Strasbourg is definitely worth exploring.

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